Howard and Sons Seating
howard and sons seating brings legendary English comfort and peerless upholstery tradition to drawing rooms and libraries alike.
Howard and Sons Seating
Howard and Sons seating represents the pinnacle of nineteenth and early twentieth century English furniture making, encompassing both generous sofas and deep club armchairs. You will frequently encounter signature models such as the Bridgewater armchair, the Ramsden sofa, and the Grafton armchair alongside various slipper and library chairs.
The pieces span the Victorian and Edwardian eras, displaying classic forms designed for absolute relaxation within country houses and town residences. Alongside original maker-stamped pieces, this selection includes notable examples in the Howard style or after the original firm.
Proportions remain crucial to these designs, combining low-slung seating platforms with coiled spring systems that define the traditional English country house aesthetic. The survival of matching footstools and pairs further enhances their utility in contemporary spaces.
Materials and Construction
Frames rely on sturdy native hardwoods such as walnut and mahogany, ensuring structural integrity beneath the generous padding. Brass castors frequently support the legs, allowing easy movement across heavy carpets and wooden floors.
Internal upholstery layers utilise traditional materials including horsehair, hessian, and calico to build up the resilient yet yielding seat cushions. Many pieces retain their original upholstery foundations or appear in traditional ticking fabric.
Exposed woodwork is kept minimal on upholstered models, though open armchairs display carved walnut or mahogany frames with attention to detail. Brass and ball and claw foot configurations appear on specific formal iterations from the Victorian period.
Howard and Sons Seating Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for howard and sons seating 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.
Listings span the nineteenth century and Edwardian era, featuring walnut, mahogany, brass, calico, and hessian across armchairs and sofas.
Factors of Quality
The integrity of the internal spring system and the tautness of the traditional stuffing dictate the underlying comfort and physical presence of each chair or sofa. Original maker stamps on the back legs or castors elevate historical authenticity.
The calibre of the timber frame and the survival of original castors distinguish superior examples from later interpretations or pieces made in the Howard style. Retaining period ticking or high-grade upholstery materials contributes to the overall integrity.
Howard and Sons·Trollope and Sons
The Howard and Sons Seating Glossary
- Bridgewater armchair
- A signature deep-seated armchair design with low rolled arms and sprung upholstery, pioneered by the firm for maximum lounging comfort.
- Calico
- A plain-woven cotton fabric used as the inner lining and foundation cover beneath top upholstery layers on traditional seating.
- Hessian
- A coarse woven fabric made from jute fibres, utilised extensively for webbing and internal stuffing containment in Victorian upholstery.
- Ticking
- A durable cotton or linen material traditionally striped in grey or blue, frequently used to cover Howard and Sons workshop pieces.
- Club chair
- A heavily upholstered, deep low-seated armchair designed for leisure and reading rooms during the nineteenth century.
Howard and Sons Seating: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I spot an authentic piece?
Authentic pieces often feature maker stamps on the wooden frame or stamped brass castors bearing the firm's name and address. Look closely at the build quality and traditional internal stuffing materials.
Compare the proportions and spring tension against known historical models from the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
What is a Bridgewater armchair?
A Bridgewater armchair is a classic nineteenth century lounge design characterised by low, set-back scrolled arms and exceptionally deep sprung seating. It forms the benchmark of traditional English country house comfort.
These chairs were built with robust hardwood frames and multiple layers of horsehair and hessian padding.
Can I use these sofas daily?
These pieces were originally engineered for rigorous daily use in grand English drawing rooms and libraries. Their sturdy hardwood frames and coiled springs endure well with sensible care.
Maintaining the internal webbing and upholstery preserves both their structural support and aesthetic appeal in modern interiors.
What is Howard style furniture?
Howard style furniture refers to pieces made by other workshops or subsequent makers that emulate the distinctive proportions and comfort of the original firm. These items share the characteristic low profile and deep upholstery.
They offer the visual appeal and lounging qualities associated with nineteenth century English country house seating.