In December, Wellers’ Guildford saleroom will offer a seminal suite of furniture by Ambrose Heal (1872-1959) consigned by a member of the family who purchased it at the turn of the 20th century.
The c.1900 bedroom suite, fashioned in waxed
and fumed oak offset by small panels of pewter and ebony inlay,
represents some of the earliest work by Ambrose Heal and (alongside
the 1898 catalogue for Plain Oak Furniture) represented a radical
departure from the elaborate, historicising pieces that made up the
rest of the family firm's stock.
Paris Exhibition
This particular suite, comprising a
wardrobe, dressing table, bedside cabinet, three chairs and a
washstand that has some alterations, was that shown at the Paris
Exhibition of 1900 (where it was awarded a silver medal) and again
in Glasgow the following year. It was kept by Heal's in Tottenham
Court Road until 1907 when it was acquired by the Price family.
Although on the market for the first time,
it is well known from a number of reference books and has been lent
for exhibition on several occasions: to the V&A for a show in
the early 1950s and to Heal's for their anniversary exhibition in
1960 and again in 1972 for the Ambrose Heal Centenary
exhibition.
It is a member of the Price family, who
lives in Weybridge, who has consigned it for sale at the Riverside
Saleroom, Guildford on December 7.
The estimate is £15,000-25,000.
Contact 01483 802280.
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