Howard and Sons Grafton Armchair 19th Century

A Howard and Sons Grafton armchair with rare probably bespoke carved tapering mahogany front legs on brass collars and casters stamped Howard & Sons, London..

English circa 1880.

One of the most desirable and comfortable chairs in the Howard and Sons range is the Grafton armchair with deep seat and high back. This fine example retains the factory stamped brass castors “Howard & Sons, London” to the fronts and to the rear, with the rear leg being stamped “Howard and Sons, Berners St” and serial number which is quite faint as there has been an historic repair to the stamped rear leg and re-polished.

The front legs are most unusual being carved and tapering which will have most likely been bespoke made for the original client. 

Fully re-upholstered by specialist Howard and Sons upholsterers who use the traditional methods having a feather down quilted back and cushion with the whole being recovered in a Howard and Sons ticking. 

This is by far one of the most comfortable armchairs I have sat in since being in the business for over 30 years!

About Howard and Sons

Howard & Sons upholstery is renowned for being one of the most sought after names in English upholstery throughout the 19th and early 20th Century, and for good reason! Their upholstery is the most comfortable you will sit in and has passed the test of time. The company was started by in 1820 by John Howard who started this iconic name trading from 24 Leman Street, London as a cabinet maker. Having this background in making furniture enabled them to expand into upholstery, opening their first showroom / workshop in 1844 36 Red Lion Street. 

After four years they moved to the iconic address of Berners St, London as “Cabinet Maker, Upholsterer and Decorator” under the name John Howard and Sons. 

The business was extremely successful at this location with workshops opening up at Tottenham St, Charlotte Mews and Fitzroy Sq and an expansion to a second Berners St building in 1853.

By 1872 Howard and Sons where occupying 25, 26 and 27 Berners Street where they stayed until 1935 winning a Royal warrants in 1901.

In 1935 the the well established decorators Lenygon and Morant appear to take over the name with the business address being given as 31 Old Burlington St (Lenygon and Morants premesis since 1909). Lenygon and Morant later moved to South Audley St where from 1954 they advertised as 'Makers of Howard Chairs and Sofas'.

In 1967 the owners of Lenygon and Morant open Howard Chairs Limited, the company operating from Lyme St continue to make high quality sofas and armchairs.

Dimensions

Seat Height 17 1/2 inches - 45cm 

Dimensions

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance