1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1




   
             Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
    


   
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
use of our reports on Sovereign Specialty Chemicals, Inc. dated March 27, 1998,
the combined reports on Laporte Construction Chemicals North America, Inc.;
Evode-Tanner Industries, Inc.; and Mercer Products Company, Inc. dated November
21, 1997, and the reports on the Adhesives Systems Division of The BFGoodrich
Company and Pierce & Stevens Corp. dated June 19, 1997, in Amendment No. 1 to 
the Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-39373) of Sovereign Specialty
Chemicals, Inc. for the Registration of $125,000,000 of 9 1/2% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007.
    
                                                               
   
                                                              ERNST & YOUNG LLP
    


Chicago, Illinois
April 3, 1998