Howard & Sons Bridgewater Sofa Deep Seated Loose Cushion Bespoke Number 3

Howard & Sons Bridgewater Sofa Deep Seated Loose Cushion Bespoke Number 3

Howard & Sons loose cushion deep seated Bridgewater Sofa labelled to underside, the sofa is upholstered in floral and bird patterned upholstery, H&S Serial Number S/12512 JL, raised on twelve light medium beech stained tapered legs with brass casters, this sofa is dates to 10 June 2014, stamped to back leg, this sofa was custom made to order by Howard & Sons and is longer than usual, extremely comfortable and offered in excellent condition.

A History of Howard and Sons Research with kind courtesy of Paul Shutler

The name of Howard and Sons is probably one of the best known and highly sought after names in Upholstered furniture. Over the next few paragraphs I will do my best to give you a brief history of the company. The company was started by John Howard in 1820 trading from 24 Leman St, London as a Cabinet Maker. Over the next 25 years they would make several changes of premises within the Whitechapel area. First to 27 Great Alie St (Now just Alie St) before moving a short distance to 34 Great Alie St. In 1844 the company made its first venture into upholstered furniture by opening a showroom/workshop at 36 Red lion St.

This was also to be a big move towards what would be their next and most famous location. In 1848 they moved to a new address much more accustomed with the name; Berners St. London as “Cabinet Maker, Upholsterer and Decorator” under the name John Howard and Sons. The business seemed to boom 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. In 1869 the company consolidated its many workshops into the one building on Cleveland St. By 1872 the company was occupying 25, 26 and 27 Berners St.

These addresses would remain unchanged until 1935. During this period they became a limited company in 1899 and won the first of their 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 premises 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

Condition report: The sofa is offered in excellent condition with minimal wear, there are no smells or odours, the joints are all solid all casters are present, makers label to underside of chair with stamp to rear leg.

Dimensions:
Height 33” inches / 84cm
Width 85” inches / 201cm
Depth 44” inches / 112cm
Floor to seat 22” inches / 56cm

Delivery:

Free delivery is offered to England & Wales