Two pieces of seating furniture which no early 20th century wealthy middle-class home would have lacked went comfortably over estimates at sales from Hampshire to Yorkshire in May.
Offered at David Duggleby’s (20% buyer’s premium) sale at Scarborough on May 20 was this imposing armchair below left, on turned walnut feet with castors stamped Howard & Sons Ltd London and back leg stamped 16414 7299.
Howard & Sons originally established a reputation as the best upholsterer in Victorian England but soon went on to become a noted manufacturer. Today its products are much in demand, to the extent that two or three years back there were warnings of forgeries coming on to the market. No such fears about this 3ft (90cm) wide chair with its bolster cushion – estimated at £1000-1500, it sold to the English south coast trade at £3200.