Howard and Sons of London, were one of the best upholstery chair makers of the Victorian era. They were as well known as the antique furniture makers, Gillows for the quality and styles of furniture. Howard and Sons worked together with Gillows of Lancaster on several occasions and it is said that they manufactured pieces of upholstered furniture for Gillows and other renowned makers like Maple and Co.
Howard and Sons were shown at large exhibitions around the world and supplied several Royal homes.
Howard and Sons chairs were mainly well known for their upholstered easy armchairs, Sofas, Wing chairs and Chaise lounge. They also made some very fine furniture and you can see some very nice examples on the market today. They only used the finest materials and made their chairs for comfort.
They mainly used traditional upholstering techniques such as tenon jointed frames, stitched front edging and used solid woods for the frames so there chairs were not just comfortable pieces of furniture, but also hard wearing and built to last.
Warning – Fake Howard chairs
Beware there is a current scam with Howard chairs. Information came to light no so long ago that an unscrupulous person/s have been chopping in half genuine chairs to make a pair out of one original, or making a sofa out of them as well. We do not know the extent to which this has been happening, but felt it prudent to warn you all. We therefore urge you to check all frames to make sure that yours is genuine before you purchase or sell it on.
This is why you should always buy from a trustworthy antiques dealer like us at Driscolls Antiques ltd as we only deal in genuine antiques.
This is an unusual Howard And Sons Antique Mahogany Edwardian Console Table
This Howard And Sons Victorian Oak Antique Desk has green tooled leather and drawers with a moulded edge along with turned handles.
34 Comments. Leave new
I have just purchased a chair that is very similar to the one shown above it has the number B7214 stamped on the back leg . I would be most grateful if you could help me verify that it is a genuine Howard chair
Hi
Without the Howard and sons stamp it is probably a chair in the style of Howard and sons.
Kind regards
James
We have a howard & sons dressing mirror with brass candle supports , the back is stamped Howard & Sons , Berners st 19657315, stunning turned framed, is it of interest.
Hi
If you would like to email some pictures I can gladly take a look for you
Thanks
James
I have a sofa which has the number 12722 on one of the rear legs and Gillow on both rear legs could you let me know what it might be valued at. I can send photos
Hi
If you can send us pictures along with your postcode, I can see if they are of interest to us.
Kind regards
James
I have a chaise and two chairs of the era that are marked “Haward & Son” “Upholsterers” “Darlington”. I cannot find any information on them. They are clearly marked Haward with an “a”, not Howard with an “o”. Any thoughts?
Hi
I think Haward & Son must be a different manufacturer but unfortunately I do not have any info on them as iv not come across this name before.
Thanks
James
We have a Howard chair no 18972 / 1886 in very good condition wonder what it is worth. Can forward some photos.
hi
you are welcome to email some pics, along with your postcode and we can see if it is of interest to us
Thanks
James
Hello James,
I have read that a Howard and Sons chair can be dated by the style of castor. Is this true? Mine has all four castors stamped, on square tapered legs, but they don’t look any different to any others I have seen. My chair looks very old. I have not yet come across another one like it. I can send some photos if that would help.
Hi
I dont think you can date just by the castors but they can help when dating a piece by looking at the style of them.
Thanks
James
Hello, I have seen a sofa and a pair of chairs which are stamped H & S – could they be Howard and Sons? If not, do you have any suggestions? Many thanks, Georgina
Hi
If it was Howard and Sons it would usually be stamped with the entire name so im not sure on the H & S sorry
Thanks
James
hi. i have listed a howard & sons chair on ebay that you may be interested in, please take a look.
Hi
Can i have the ebay number please?
Thanks
Hi I’m about to buy a fire side chair it has one caster marked Howard &sons London the other is badly stained no no’s on rear legs it’s a v old chair is this a howard did thay always Stanp the legs
I have just purchased a chair that is very similar to the one shown above it has the number B7214 stamped on the back leg . I would be most grateful if you could help me verify that it is a genuine Howard chair
Hi
Without the Howard and sons stamp it is probably a chair in the style of Howard and sons.
Kind regards
James
I have a chaise and two chairs of the era that are marked “Haward & Son” “Upholsterers” “Darlington”. I cannot find any information on them. They are clearly marked Haward with an “a”, not Howard with an “o”. Any thoughts?
Hi
I think Haward & Son must be a different manufacturer but unfortunately I do not have any info on them as iv not come across this name before.
Thanks
James
I have a sofa which has the number 12722 on one of the rear legs and Gillow on both rear legs could you let me know what it might be valued at. I can send photos
Hi
If you can send us pictures along with your postcode, I can see if they are of interest to us.
Kind regards
James
We have a howard & sons dressing mirror with brass candle supports , the back is stamped Howard & Sons , Berners st 19657315, stunning turned framed, is it of interest.
Hi
If you would like to email some pictures I can gladly take a look for you
Thanks
James
We have a Howard chair no 18972 / 1886 in very good condition wonder what it is worth. Can forward some photos.
hi
you are welcome to email some pics, along with your postcode and we can see if it is of interest to us
Thanks
James
Hello James,
I have read that a Howard and Sons chair can be dated by the style of castor. Is this true? Mine has all four castors stamped, on square tapered legs, but they don’t look any different to any others I have seen. My chair looks very old. I have not yet come across another one like it. I can send some photos if that would help.
Hi
I dont think you can date just by the castors but they can help when dating a piece by looking at the style of them.
Thanks
James
Hello, I have seen a sofa and a pair of chairs which are stamped H & S – could they be Howard and Sons? If not, do you have any suggestions? Many thanks, Georgina
Hi
If it was Howard and Sons it would usually be stamped with the entire name so im not sure on the H & S sorry
Thanks
James
hi. i have listed a howard & sons chair on ebay that you may be interested in, please take a look.
Hi
Can i have the ebay number please?
Thanks
Hi I’m about to buy a fire side chair it has one caster marked Howard &sons London the other is badly stained no no’s on rear legs it’s a v old chair is this a howard did thay always Stanp the legs