HOWARD & SONS

‘There is nothing like it. The proportions, the styling, how it makes you feel…’ says James Thorpe of Wimbledon Furniture, explaining the unique appeal of an antique Howard & Sons armchair. Although it would have been made 100 to 140 years ago, he says, it will still be more comfortable than many equivalent pieces made today.

Established in 1820 by cabinetmaker John Howard, Howard & Sons quickly became one of the best-regarded furniture makers of the 19th century. In its infancy the company’s repertoire was much more extensive than the sofas and chairs for which it is now known. In Victorian