For more than two centuries, the name Howard & Sons Ltd has been synonymous with elegance and exceptional handcrafted quality. Their Victorian furnishings graced grand old hotels like The Savoy in London, British Royal residences and luxury yachts of the day, including American business tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt’s North Star.
Today, stately armchairs, sofas and rich, hand-carved serving tables from Howard & Sons continue to be a gold standard among the most discerning furniture collectors. Queen Elizabeth II is even said to have owned the world's most extensive collection of Howard & Sons chairs.
Howard & Sons Ltd was founded in 1820 on Leman street in London by cabinetmaker and upholsterer John Howard. Although he had three sons — George, Charles and Joseph — it was only George who later joined his father in running the family business. Before their upholstered armchairs and sofas garnered universal acclaim, Howard & Sons was a cabinetry company that collaborated with another well-known cabinetmaker, Gillows of Lancaster and London, on large projects and likely manufactured upholstered furniture for Gillows.
Howard & Sons Ltd showcased their pieces and won awards at several important exhibitions towards the end of the 19th century. They were given medals at the 1878 Paris Exhibition, the 1894 Antwerp Exhibition and the 1900 Paris Exposition. In 1901, they received their first Royal warrant to supply upholstered furniture to King Edward VII.
Howard & Sons Ltd continued production until 1947. During the 1950s, a London decorating firm called Lenygon & Morant began to trade under the Howard name. The company re-emerged in 1967 as Howard Chairs Ltd. Today, the brand is again known again as Howard & Sons and carries on the tradition of creating bespoke furniture from their London-based workshop.
On 1stDibs, find a range of antique Howard & Sons Ltd seating, case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other collectibles.
Walnut & inlaid Marquetry Bijouterie Cabinet
By Maple & Co.
Located in Dereham, GB
Walnut & inlaid Marquetry Bijouterie Cabinet , circa 1900 in the French style Hinged top with working lock & key, Glazed Cabinet with ormolu surrounds. Marquetry inlay on top wih f...
Walnut
Fine Satinwood inlaid & Painted 2 door Commode by Maple & Co
By Maple & Co.
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine Satinwood inlaid & Painted 2 door Demi Lune Commode by Maple & Co circa 1900 Segmented Satinwood , Burr Walnut & Tulip banding Sunburst top with cross banding, Two door cupboard base , open to reveal single shelf interior, sitting on 4 tapering legs with brass castors, Decorated with Burr walnut oval panels, floral oval inlaid centre,tulip banding around, Painted with Floral & Ribbon Decoration Tulip banding around outside doors & panels, Floral Painted decoration on legs, Maple & Co Badge on R/h inside door...
Satinwood
Fine Holland & Sons Walnut inlaid & carved Bureau Plat / Writing table
By Holland & Sons
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine Victorian Walnut Inlaid Bureau Plat / Writing table Stamped Holland & Sons Circa 1870s Walnut shaped top, with thumb mould edge, Leaf & Floral inlay around top, Black l...
Walnut
Fine Edwardian Satinwood Bedside Cupboard
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine Edwardian Satinwood Bedside Cupboard, 3 Quarter mould tray top, with : Satinwood & inset plate glass top, Pull-out Slide Beneath, Single open Cupboard Door, with: 4 cast Brass ...
Satinwood
Fine Gillows, Walnut & Kingwood inlaid fitted drawer cabinet on stand
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine Gillows, Walnut & Kingwood inlaid fitted drawer cabinet on stand circa 1920s Square cube shaped cabinet with single door, with, Silver plated etched, Escutcheon, Hinges, & corne...
Kingwood
Fine Chinoiserie Decorated 2 Drawer Table Circa 1900
By Waring & Gillow
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine Chinoiserie decorated 2 Drawer Table Cream in colour Top with Painted line & foliage, 2 concave shaped Drawers with: Chinoiserie Decoration with Figure in boat, House , Tr...
Lacquer
French Louis XV Style Marble Top Inlaid High Dresser High Chest Circa 1920's
Located in Long Branch, NJ
French Louis XV Style Marble Top Inlaid High Dresser High Chest Circa 1920's Dimensions : 41" Wide X 22.5" Deep X 51" Tall This stunning high chest was made in the 1920's era in a ...
Walnut
Early 19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble Top Inlaid Bar Abattant Desk
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Early 19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble Top Inlaid Bar Abattant Desk Dimensions : 36.75" Wide X 18" Deep X 56" Tall This gorgeous abattant desk was made in the early 19th century...
Satinwood, Walnut
Fine Quality Signed French Made Shallow Marble Top Inlaid Louis XVI Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine quality signed French Louis XVI sideboard showcases the elegance and refined craftsmanship of the late 19th to early 20th century. Topped with a richly veined marble surfac...
Breccia Marble, Brass
19th Century French Marquetry Cabinet with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is an elegant Louis XV style walnut cabinet. The gray variegated marble top rests over a single door with satinwood marquetry in the form of a floral arrangement in an urn. The cabinet has a beautifully shaped apron flanked by gilt metal paw...
Marble, Metal
19th Century French Marble Top Inlaid Mahogany Cabinet or Dry Bar
Located in Sofia, BG
19th Century French mahogany cabinet in Louis XVI style with geometric patterns on both front and sides. The top surface is made ...
Marble
Exceptional Quality Antique French Louis XVI Style Marble-Top Side Cabinet
Located in Suffolk, GB
A magnificent antique French Louis XVI style side cabinet of exceptional quality showcasing beautiful marquetry work, richly cast gilt-bronze mounts and a shaped white marble top. Th...
Marble
