Howard and Sons
These howard and sons pieces represent the pinnacle of English nineteenth-century seating comfort, prized for their generous proportions and enduring joinery.
Howard and Sons
When searching for howard and sons, collectors encounter robust nineteenth-century seating, including armchairs, club chairs, and low sofas designed for supreme lounging. The standard forms embrace deep seats, low backs, and scrolled arms, frequently accompanied by smaller bedroom chairs and daybeds.
Beyond upholstered seating, the selection includes occasional tables, bookcases, and chests of drawers executed in mahogany, walnut, and faux bamboo. The prevailing aesthetic sits comfortably within the Victorian and Edwardian English country house style, spanning the mid-nineteenth century into the early twentieth century.
Pieces frequently emerge bearing specific maker designations or stylistic attributions, ranging from the iconic Bridgewater armchairs to curved kidney-shaped sofas. Buyers meet both authentic stamped workshop productions and later interpretations built in the distinct Howard style.
How they were made
Construction relies upon sturdy hardwood frames built from mahogany, walnut, and general hardwood timbers to support heavy internal stuffing. Joinery is concealed beneath dense layers of traditional materials including hessian, calico, and fabric upholstery.
Metal components such as brass castors allow these substantial chairs and sofas to move smoothly across heavy carpets and wooden floors. Gilding and turned wood details finish the occasional tables, etagères, and faux bamboo chests.
Howard and Sons Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for howard and sons 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 listings span the nineteenth century through the Edwardian period, featuring armchairs, sofas, and occasional tables in mahogany and walnut.
What varies in quality
The distinction between ordinary and exceptional pieces rests upon the integrity of the original timber frame and the retention of authentic maker stamps or numbered castors. Upholstery methods matter deeply, as traditional stuffing using high-grade hessian and calico preserves the intended architectural silhouette.
Proportion and execution separate genuine workshop pieces from later revival items, with superior examples displaying balanced curves and harmonious scaling. The crispness of turned wooden legs and the quality of brass hardware further distinguish the upper tier of the range.
Howard and Sons
The Howard and Sons Glossary
- Bridgewater armchair
- A deep-seated upholstered armchair with low scrolled arms, characteristic of comfortable nineteenth-century country house seating. This form remains one of the most recognisable outputs associated with the maker.
- Hessian
- A coarse woven fabric typically utilised as the foundational inner webbing and scrim for traditional upholstery stuffing. It provides the necessary tension beneath top layers of calico and decorative cloth.
- Calico
- A plain-woven cotton fabric employed as an inner lining beneath the final decorative upholstery cover. It holds the internal stuffing firmly in the correct sculptural form.
- Faux bamboo
- A decorative treatment where wood is carved or turned to imitate natural bamboo culms and joints. This exotic technique appeared on occasional furniture during the Victorian period.
- Etagère
- A set of open tiered shelves used for displaying decorative objects and small books. These pieces often incorporate brass supports and fine timber framing.
Howard and Sons: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify an authentic piece?
Authentic pieces often feature maker stamps upon the wooden frame or brass castors, alongside serial numbers stamped directly into the metal. The presence of traditional internal materials like hessian and calico further supports attribution.
Secondary indicators include the specific proportions of the Bridgewater or Grafton models, combined with nineteenth-century framing techniques characteristic of the firm's London workshops.
Are Howard style chairs comfortable?
These chairs are engineered specifically for deep relaxation, featuring low profiles and generous seating depths that encourage lounging. The internal spring systems and layered stuffing provide substantial support without feeling rigid.
Living with these pieces reveals why they became staples of the English country house, accommodating various sitting postures naturally.
What is a Bridgewater armchair?
The Bridgewater is a signature upholstered armchair design featuring low, gently scrolled arms and a deep seat. It serves as a precursor to the modern club chair.
This specific form balances formal nineteenth-century dignity with informal domestic comfort, making it highly sought after by collectors.
Can I use these sofas daily?
Sturdy hardwood frames and traditional joinery ensure these sofas withstand regular domestic use. Routine care involves professional maintenance of the traditional internal stuffing and delicate vacuuming of the fabric.
Placing them away from direct sunlight preserves both the timber frames and the integrity of the upholstery textiles.