What defines a country house sofa?

A country house sofa is characterised by generous proportions, deep seats, and robust construction intended for heavy daily use in large 19th-century drawing rooms. These pieces prioritise comfort through thick horsehair padding and sprung seating bases, often finished in velvet, leather, or plain ticking fabric.

How do I identify a Howard and Sons sofa?

Authentic pieces by this maker often feature stamped brass castors, numeric signatures on the legs, and specific paper labels inside the frame. The workshop produced distinct Chesterfield and low-backed lounge forms using high-specification internal springing and traditional hair stuffing.

Are these sofas suitable for daily use?

These pieces were originally built to withstand generations of domestic use, utilising heavy hardwood frames and hand-tied coil springs. Many examples require professional reupholstery or internal restoration before they can endure modern sitting habits comfortably.

What is original ticking upholstery?

Original ticking is the dense, striped cotton or linen lining applied beneath decorative outer fabrics to hold the internal horsehair stuffing securely in place. Finding a sofa that retains this internal layer provides strong evidence of an unmolested period upholstery scheme.