Vintage Howard and Sons
Vintage howard and sons pieces bring unmatched English country house comfort to a room through deep upholstery and sturdy timber frames.
Vintage Howard and Sons
Vintage howard and sons items include signature seating such as club armchairs, Bridgewater armchairs, and Chesterfield sofas originating from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Buyers searching for vintage howard and sons commonly encounter upholstered chairs and sofas spanning the Victorian and Edwardian periods, alongside occasional desks and side tables.
English country house style dominates the aesthetic, accompanied by Sheraton Revival, Chippendale Revival, and Aesthetic Movement influences. Walnut, mahogany, and hardwood form the structural timber foundations beneath the heavy padding.
How they were made
Maker workshops built frames using dense hardwoods like walnut and mahogany, joined to withstand decades of heavy daily use. Brass castors frequently support the legs of armchairs and sofas, allowing smooth movement across floorboards.
Upholstery relies on traditional textiles including cotton, velvet, leather, and woven carpets such as Ushak and kilim patterns. Skilled hands stuffed and sprung the deep seats and button-backed designs to achieve the distinct slouching comfort associated with the maker.
Vintage Howard and Sons Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage 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.
Makers occasionally upholstered club armchairs in salvaged Turkish carpets, turning functional seating into woven textile art.
What varies in quality
Original maker stamps, leg markings, and stamped castors separate authenticated workshop output from later copies built in the Howard style. The integrity of the internal stuffing and the original tension of the springs dictate the seating comfort.
Howard and Sons
The Vintage Howard and Sons Glossary
- Bridgewater armchair
- A deep-seated upholstered armchair with low arms, associated with nineteenth-century maker designs. This shape defines traditional English lounging comfort.
- Club armchair
- A bulky, low-slung upholstered seat designed for deep relaxation. These chairs often feature generous cushioning and turned wooden legs.
- Sheraton Revival
- A late nineteenth-century design style drawing on eighteenth-century neoclassical furniture forms. Pieces in this manner utilise lighter mahogany frames and refined inlay.
- Button back
- An upholstery technique where depressions are formed in the padding by stitching through the material to secure buttons. This method maintains internal stuffing placement while adding texture.
- Ushak
- A knotted carpet style originating from Turkey, frequently utilised to cover club armchairs. These textiles bring intricate geometric patterns to the upholstery.
Vintage Howard and Sons: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify genuine pieces?
Authentic pieces often carry maker stamps on the wooden frame or stamped lettering on the brass castors beneath the legs. Examining the traditional construction methods and timber quality helps separate original workshop items from later style pieces.
Matching the model names, such as Bridgewater or specific chair designations recorded in nineteenth-century production, provides further confirmation of origin.
What defines English country house style?
This aesthetic combines lived-in comfort with traditional seating forms like deep club armchairs and large Chesterfield sofas. The style prioritises utility and relaxation over formal rigidity.
Interiors incorporate varied textiles including heavy cottons, leathers, and decorative carpets across walnut and mahogany frames.
How should I care for leather upholstery?
Green and brown leather coverings require gentle cleaning with appropriate conditioning balms to maintain flexibility. Keeping the material away from direct sunlight prevents drying and cracking of the antique hide.
Regular dusting avoids particle buildup within the button folds and seams.
What is a Bridgewater armchair?
A Bridgewater armchair is a generously proportioned seat featuring low, rolled arms and deep cushioning. This design allows for relaxed lounging while maintaining structural support through a concealed hardwood frame.
Edwardian and Victorian examples often feature castors on the front legs for mobility.