Rare 19th Century Howard & Sons armchair.

An exceptional & rare Howard & Sons Bridgewater-type armchair, retaining all four original Howard & Sons stamped brass castors together with its original serial number to the inside back leg. This is the most sought after model in a custom size that is absolutely perfect in every way.

A wonderfully generous and supremely comfortable chair, recently reupholstered in traditional Howard & Sons ticking and presented in excellent condition.

The quality of the chair was perhaps best summed up by our upholsterer, who remarked:

“The best Howard & Sons chair I’ve ever seen and worked on.”

With decades of experience upholstering for some of Britain’s finest furniture makers, including George Smith, and restoring countless Howard pieces, this is praise that carries genuine weight.

The model differs subtly from the standard catalogue Bridgewater chair, suggesting it may have been made as an early variation or bespoke commission. Its elegant proportions, turned legs, deep feather filled seat and beautifully shaped arms combine everything for which Howard & Sons became renowned.

Provenance: Privately owned by John Fowler (of Colefax & Fowler) before being sold through Christie’s during the early 2000s and later sold by Bonhams.

A rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional Howard chair that combines outstanding comfort with genuine collector appeal.

English, circa 1870–1890.

Dimensions

• Height: 83 cm (32.7 in)
• Width: 78 cm (30.7 in)
• Overall Depth: 70 cm (27.6 in)
• Seat Width: 50 cm (19.7 in)
• Seat Depth: 55 cm (21.7 in)
• Seat Height (to top of cushion): 47 cm (18.5 in)