James Shoolbred & Co (sometimes Jas Shoolbred) was established in London in the 1820s as a textile shop to the furniture trade.  By mid-century,  Shoolbred was designing and selling furniture in their fashionable shop and grew to become one of London’s largest department stores, suppling antique furniture and accessories for Victorian homes. In the mid-1880s, the firm obtained a Royal warrant. A Royal Warrant is a mark of recognition for companies or individuals who have regularly supplied goods or services to the Royal Household for at least five years. The warrant, granted by the monarch, a prince, or a consort, allows the holder to display the relevant royal coat of arms on their business, lending it prestige and indicating a commitment to high standards of quality and service. Most unfortunately, the firm was not able to survive the financial crisis of the late 1920s and ceased to exist in 1931.