What defines a Howard and Sons style armchair?

Howard and Sons armchairs are renowned for their high-standard upholstery, deep seating proportions, spring construction, and often feature stamped brass castors and turned or tapered wooden legs.

What materials are traditionally used in antique leather armchairs?

Traditional construction relies on solid hardwood framing, coiled steel springs, natural hair or fibre padding, hand-tanned leather upholstery, and brass hardware such as castors and decorative studs.

How can you identify authentic Howard and Sons seating?

Authentic pieces typically feature maker stamps on the rear leg timber, impressed marks on the brass castors, or original monogrammed ticking fabric beneath the cushion casing.

How can a tan leather armchair be styled in a modern interior?

A warm tan leather armchair creates visual contrast when paired with contemporary neutral walls, textured wool throws, modern floor lamps, or minimalist side tables.

How should antique leather upholstery be maintained?

Leather upholstery should be dusted regularly with a soft cloth and conditioned periodically with specialist leather balm to prevent drying, cracking, or colour loss.

for sale €11,115 $12,065

£9,500

Royal House Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2021

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Royal house antiques is a privately-owned family ran company founded in wimbledon in 2012 by husband and wife james and iris thorpe

Id #SA1014445

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Super Rare Howard & Son's Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchair

Name: Super Rare Howard & Son's Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchair
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1014445
Price: 9500 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Royal House Antiques

Description

We are delighted to offer for sale this super rare, highly collectable Victorian circa 1860-1880 Howard & Son's attributed library armchair which has been fully restored and comes with never seen before, Marquetry inlaid legs and Cope And Collinson castors

Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price

This armchair is a pure and utter work of art, I have never seen another with legs as beautifully inlaid as this before, in truth, I've never seen this kind of work on an armchair in any style of setting, it is a nod to the Dutch masters whilst having a bit of French Empire flare and grandeur at the same time

The inside back left leg isn't stamped Howard & Son's however this may be because it has Marquetry inlay as well as the front and sides and the stamp would damage it, the castors are stamped Copes as you can see pictured, they made castors for Howard, either way this armchair is attributed to Howard and if it was made by someone else, it would have cost more than a normal Howard to commission due to the amount of craftsmanship required to make those lovely legs!

The armchair has what's called a floating button cushion, this is a flat swab cushion that's feather filled, the idea being you aren't sitting to low to the ground and you have an extra level of comfort, its fully upholstered so double sided, if the worst were to happen and you damaged one side you could simply flip it over, the floating button design is a nod to Thomas Chippendale who was the first to use this method on his seats

Condition wise the piece is fully restored as mentioned, it has had the old upholstery professionally removed, the chair has then been upholstered with this luxury Cognac tan brown coloured Scottish heritage hide leather that is super soft and subtle

If the new owner wishes, I can have the armchair antiqued which will bring out the tufting, it can also be fully hand dyed and will come out a wonderful cigar brown colour, I have left it as it is as the colour is sublime and it looks very elegant

Dimensions

Height:- 83.5cm

Width:- 79cm

Depth:- 96cm

Seat height:- 39.5cm

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask

Any questions please feel free to ask.

Physical Dimensions

Height

83.5cm (32.87")

Width

79cm (31.10")

Depth

96cm (37.80")

Declaration

Royal House Antiques has dated this Howard and Sons Leather Armchair to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1014445

Description

fig 1. A deep-buttoned tan leather armchair featuring brass studding trim, tufted seat cushion, and inlaid square tapered legs on brass castors. — fig 1. Super Rare Howard & Son's Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchair

Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price

fig 2. A deep-buttoned tan leather armchair featuring brass studding trim, tufted seat cushion, and inlaid square tapered legs on brass castors. — fig 2. Super Rare Howard & Son's Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchair

This armchair is a pure and utter work of art, I have never seen another with legs as beautifully inlaid as this before, in truth, I've never seen this kind of work on an armchair in any style of setting, it is a nod to the Dutch masters whilst having a bit of French Empire flare and grandeur at the same time

fig 3. A deep-buttoned tan leather armchair featuring brass studding trim, tufted seat cushion, and inlaid square tapered legs on brass castors. — fig 3. Super Rare Howard & Son's Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchair

The inside back left leg isn't stamped Howard & Son's however this may be because it has Marquetry inlay as well as the front and sides and the stamp would damage it, the castors are stamped Copes as you can see pictured, they made castors for Howard, either way this armchair is attributed to Howard and if it was made by someone else, it would have cost more than a normal Howard to commission due to the amount of craftsmanship required to make those lovely legs!

fig 4. A deep-buttoned tan leather armchair featuring brass studding trim, tufted seat cushion, and inlaid square tapered legs on brass castors. — fig 4. Super Rare Howard & Son's Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchair

The armchair has what's called a floating button cushion, this is a flat swab cushion that's feather filled, the idea being you aren't sitting to low to the ground and you have an extra level of comfort, its fully upholstered so double sided, if the worst were to happen and you damaged one side you could simply flip it over, the floating button design is a nod to Thomas Chippendale who was the first to use this method on his seats

fig 5. A deep-buttoned tan leather armchair featuring brass studding trim, tufted seat cushion, and inlaid square tapered legs on brass castors. — fig 5. Super Rare Howard & Son's Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchair

Condition wise the piece is fully restored as mentioned, it has had the old upholstery professionally removed, the chair has then been upholstered with this luxury Cognac tan brown coloured Scottish heritage hide leather that is super soft and subtle

fig 6. A deep-buttoned tan leather armchair featuring brass studding trim, tufted seat cushion, and inlaid square tapered legs on brass castors. — fig 6. Super Rare Howard & Son's Fully Restored Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchair

If the new owner wishes, I can have the armchair antiqued which will bring out the tufting, it can also be fully hand dyed and will come out a wonderful cigar brown colour, I have left it as it is as the colour is sublime and it looks very elegant