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Lot 213
Sir Ambrose Heal (1872-1959) for Heal & Son, a chestnut 'Owl' suite, circa 1905,comprising a dark stained 412 'owl' cabinet with a pair of cupboard doors with applied circular panels centred by rotating latch handles, the drawers with recessed 'squashed heart' handles, a 428 wardrobe with pair of cupboard doors over a single drawer with 'squashed heart' handles, and dressing chest with circular mirror and four drawer base, also with 'squashed heart' handlesthe cabinet 152.5 x 112 x 52.5cm, the wardrobe 192 x 112 x 54cm, the dressing chest 152 x 106 x 53cmAffectionately known as the ‘Owl Suite’ and now one of the rarest and most popular models of Heal’s furniture, the present lot was born during a period of upheaval and transformation for the company.From 1904, as sales of earlier models began to decline, Ambrose Heal returned to the drawing board. Aiming to eliminate the spectre of 19th century design, his new designs were marked by their simplicity, elegance and affordability – bringing virtuoso craftsmanship into the everyday domestic sphere. Although these designs bore less overt decoration than their predecessors, it is intriguing to note that Ambrose Heal regarded these later creations as the pinnacle of his craftsmanship. So much so that he resurrected many of them for post-war exhibitions and, in a gesture of legacy, bequeathed several models to the Victoria and Albert Museum in his will.Also known as the ‘412’ model, the Owl Suite was introduced from 1905 and remained in production until 1927. Between these dates, only eighty models of the cabinet were produced – 56 in chestnut, 19 in fumed oak and just 5 in limed oak. Such scarcity, coupled with its iconic design, has elevated the Owl Suite to the status of a cultural treasure and a cherished prize among collectors.In good original condition throughout, some scuffs and marks commensurate with age and use, the front edge of the dressing table has been scuffed a little harder and it therefore rough to the touch.
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