One of the most successful and well-known Victorian cabinet-making firms, Howard and Sons was formed by John Howard in 1820 and established in Berners Street by 1854. Messrs. Howard and Sons exhibited at the 1851 Great Exhibition, and amongst several notable commissions contributed to the furnishing of Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire and Elton Hall, Northamptonshire. An oak side table with simulated cube parquetry top was sold anonymously, Christie's South Kensington, 24 October 2006, lot 71 and an octagonal table with parquetry top, related to the present lot, was sold anonymously, Christie's South Kensington, 11 June 2003, lot 635.