Antique Howard Sofa
An antique howard sofa brings supreme English country house comfort to a room, pairing deep upholstery with substantial sprung seating.
Antique Howard Sofa
When you search for an antique howard sofa, you encounter substantial seating shaped by nineteenth century and Edwardian craftsmanship. The forms range from serpentine Chesterfields and deep-seated Bridgewater designs to chaise longues, daybeds and open arm sofas.
The majority of pieces you meet on this page hail from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, often bearing the maker's stamp or legacy. Alongside authentic workshop pieces, you also find examples built in the distinctive Howard style or attributed to the firm through traditional construction methods.
How they were made
The construction relies upon robust hardwood frames of walnut or mahogany, designed to endure decades of heavy use. Traditional stuffing utilises natural materials such as hessian and cotton, bound together to maintain firm yet yielding support.
Upholstery ranges from traditional ticking fabric and chintz to heavy leather and cotton, while lower supports frequently terminate in brass castors and turned wooden legs or ball and claw feet.
Antique Howard Sofa Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for howard sofa among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
The selection spans the Victorian and Edwardian periods, incorporating both signed workshop pieces and later interpretations in the English country house style.
What varies in quality
The distinction between ordinary and exceptional pieces rests in the integrity of the original frame and the retention of authentic internal stuffing. A high-grade example maintains its intended deep proportions without structural sag.
Furthermore, the presence of original maker markings, legible stamps on the castors, and untouched period fabric elevate a piece above later reproductions or heavily altered examples.
Howard and Sons·Whytock and Reid
The Antique Howard Sofa Glossary
- Chesterfield
- A large upholstered sofa characterised by deep buttoning or scrolled arms of equal height. These forms are staples of nineteenth century English seating.
- Ticking
- A tightly woven heavy cotton or linen fabric traditionally used as a durable lining or outer cover for mattresses and upholstery. It is frequently seen on original Howard workshop pieces.
- Hessian
- A coarse woven fabric, typically made from jute fibres, utilised inside the upholstery layers to provide structural foundation and support for stuffing.
- Chaise Longue
- An upholstered long chair designed for reclining, combining the backrest of a sofa with the seat length of a daybed. They appear frequently in nineteenth century inventories.
Antique Howard Sofa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify a genuine Howard sofa?
Look for stamped maker marks on the wooden frame or inscribed lettering upon the brass castors. Legitimate pieces also display traditional nineteenth century webbing and layered hessian construction.
Compare the proportions and depth of the seat to documented examples from the Victorian and Edwardian periods, as genuine workshop pieces maintain a distinctively heavy and comfortable build.
What is an Howard style sofa?
An Howard style sofa refers to a piece manufactured by another maker or in a later period that replicates the iconic deep seat, rolled arms and proportions pioneered by Howard and Sons.
These pieces share the aesthetic and structural comfort of the original London firm without bearing the workshop stamps or labels.
How do I care for original ticking upholstery?
Original ticking fabric requires gentle vacuuming through a protective mesh attachment to remove surface dust without disturbing the historic fibres. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners or water saturation.
Keep the sofa away from direct sunlight to prevent the cotton material from fading and weakening over time.
Are these sofas suitable for daily use?
These pieces are built on sturdy hardwood frames with robust internal springing designed precisely for sustained daily lounging. Their deep seats offer enduring structural support.
Provided the internal webbing and upholstery have been appropriately maintained or restored, they function comfortably as primary seating in a modern living space.