HK Diplomat sofa (Howard Keith) 1970s vintage original, zebra pattern (UK)

Available later in 2023.

We are pleased to offer a handsome vintage Howard Keith (HK Designs) Diplomat sofa for sale on behalf of a private client. We have sold many of these sofas in the past and they get whipped up very quickly.

The HK Grand Diplomat sofa is an extremely sought after piece and vintage originals are becoming very rare. This is a grand sofa, with sleek lines and exhibits a subtle drama.

This HK Diplomat is a vintage original and is covered in the original zebra upholstery.

4 X metal feet.

Sofa main back and seat cushions included. Scatter cushions also included.

Provenance: Originally bought by the current owners in Edinburgh in the late 1970s.

Measurements: 263-268cm (W) x 104-108cm (D) x 62-67cm (H). Seat height 40cm

In good condition for its age:
Requires cleaning, the back is unstable due to part of the doweling which holds it in place is broken, but a relatively easy fix. There are some slight tears and damage around this back area.

Please see photos for condition details.

This sofa has the original HK label.

Price: £3,500 or nearest offer (currently on hold and available again May 2023).

Collection from Cramond, Edinburgh EH4, UK (buyer to arrange collection and delivery).

Please email us at [email protected] for more details or if you have any questions.

More on the HK Diplomat

Designed by John Home in 1970 for HK Furniture Ltd (Howard Keith), London, the originals have a wooden frame, foam upholstery with textile, often plush covers and usually with chromed cylindrical metal legs. They come in different fabric coverings such as the zebra style pattern, the zig-zag or in stripes, and sometimes in a plain fabric.

The HK Diplomat was quickly considered a classic sofa design and was sold by retailers such as Harrods. The sofa was included in a Classics exhibition at Heal & Son Ltds London store as early as 1981. They were famously owned by Princess Anne as well as Lord Edward Davenport.

The Diplomat’s sister sofa, the Barbican, was featured in Elton John’s private jet in Rocketman.

The Diplomat’s low, modernist sleek lines and deep-set seating make them a well sought after piece.

HK created bespoke furniture for the Queen’s Royal Train and the QE2 cruise liner. HK of London designed furniture for the British Parliament and the Royal Bank of England.

Please email us at [email protected] for more details or if you have any questions.

How we work for items such as these:-
We act as an agent connecting buyers and sellers.
We have not seen the goods in person.
We take no responsibility for the good themselves – we simply negotiate and introduce buyer and seller.
Once agreed, we collect payment from the buyer on behalf of the seller, then we release the address and contact details for you to arrange collection, and hold the monies until you have arranged collection. Once collected we then pass on payment to the seller.
This item may not meet contemporary fire safety standards which were introduced after this item was made.
You may also want to consider recovering or reupholstery.