Peter J. Martin and Son Antiques

Description

A superb quality and elegant walnut dining room suite by Heal & Sons Ltd, comprising a sideboard, extending dining table and six ‘ladderback’ dining chairs. This suite exemplifies the quality and simplicity for which Heal’s were rightly famous.

Dimensions:
Sideboard: Height 38” (97cm) Width 60” (152cm) Depth 21” (53cm)

Chairs: Height (overall) 35” (89cm) Height (seat) 19” (49cm) Width 18” (46cm) Depth 18” (46cm)

Table: Height 30” (76cm) Width 38” (97cm) Length (closed) 51” (130cm) Length (extended) 72” (183cm)

About Heal’s:
The original Heal's firm was established in 1810 as a feather-dressing business by John Harris Heal and his son.

In 1818, the business moved to Tottenham Court Road, London and expanded into bedding, bedstead and furniture manufacture and into retailing. By the end of the nineteenth century it was one of the best-known furniture suppliers in London.

Heal's was run as a family business designing, manufacturing and selling furniture, applied arts, interior decorating and household goods until 1983. The business has subsequently been in a number of ownerships trading as a retailer.

Ambrose Heal:
The notability of Heal's rests upon the achievements of Sir Ambrose Heal, who worked in the company as craftsman, designer and finally Chairman, for 60 years from 1893 to 1953.

Ambrose Heal’s contribution to the business, and to British furniture-making and applied design, was his marriage of the ethos of the Arts and Crafts Movement as to beauty and utility with the techniques and economics of commerce. The combination of 'Good Design' with industrial production was contrary to the moral, hand crafted principals of the Arts and Crafts Movement but was in line with the certain European approaches to bringing high calibre product design to a middle class market.

Heal developed his business as a design, manufacturing and retail concern in accord with the philosophy of which he was a key proponent.

Condition and Details of Restoration:
This suite is in sound original untouched condition. There are minor old marks and the polish has faded attractively in places. The fold-out leaf to the dining table is a slightly darker colour than the rest of the top due to less exposure to sunlight. The seat covers have been replaced at some point in a pale gold dralon type material, which is perfectly clean enough to use but not difficult to replace should the client prefer. We would be happy to discuss re-polishing should that be desired.