Antique Walnut Ball and Claw Porters Armchairs from Howard & Sons, 1880, Set of 2

Details

Description

Exceptionally rare and imposing pair of original Howard & Sons Ltd, Berners Street, London porter's armchairs, dating to circa 1880–1910 … Read more Exceptionally rare and imposing pair of original Howard & Sons Ltd, Berners Street, London porter's armchairs, dating to circa 1880–1910 Of wonderfully grand proportions

The chairs have magnificent high winged backs which sweep forward to create the deeply enveloping form traditionally associated with porter's chairs. Most importantly, both chairs retain their Howard & Sons Ltd, Berners St impressed maker's stamps and individual numbers to the inside rear legs, together with their original Howard stamped castors, providing excellent authentication of their manufacture by one of the most celebrated English upholstery houses. What really sets this pair apart are the exceptional carved walnut front legs, a highly unusual departure from the more familiar turned and tapered legs associated with Howard seating. Each is boldly carved with scrolling acanthus decoration before terminating in a wonderfully substantial ball-and-claw foot, raised on its original brass castor. The chairs are currently upholstered in crisp white fabric with traditional antiqued brass nail-head detailing around the lower edge and retain their large loose feather-style seat cushions. Their monumental proportions, dramatic wings and extraordinary carved legs give the pair tremendous country-house presence. Howard & Sons is one of the great names in English upholstered furniture. Founded by John Howard in London in 1820, the firm established its famous Berners Street premises in the mid-19th century and became renowned for extraordinarily comfortable, beautifully constructed upholstered furniture. Howard won a prize for library furniture at the 1862 International Exhibition, subsequently exhibited internationally, became Howard & Sons Ltd in 1899, and received a Royal Warrant from Edward VII in 1901. Their work was supplied to some of the most important houses and patrons of the period, and genuine Howard seating remains highly sought after today. The Royal Collection holds work by the firm, while documented Howard pieces can also be found in major institutional collections. The chairs are presented in very good antique condition with the walnut displaying a lovely warm colour, grain and natural age-related patina. There are the expected minor marks and signs of use commensurate with age, while the carved detail remains wonderfully crisp and the original castors survive beneath. Finding a genuine Howard & Sons chair is desirable in its own right; finding a matching pair of these enormous porter's chairs with such unusual carved walnut ball-and-claw legs, maker's stamps and original Howard castors makes this an exceptionally interesting and scarce suite of English upholstered furniture.

Dimensions Height: 123.5cm Width: 84cm Depth: 92cm Seat height: 59.5cm See less