Ambrose Heal Biography
Ambrose Heal: A Pioneering Force in Furniture Design
Ambrose Heal, born in Crouch End in 1872, became a driving force behind the success of the family business, Heal and Son, which started in 1810. After studying at Marlborough College and Slade School of Art, he underwent a two-year apprenticeship as a cabinet maker with Plunknett of Warwick, followed by a six-month stint at Graham and Biddle of Oxford Street. He joined the family business in Tottenham Court Road in 1893, with his first pieces appearing in Heal's shop windows in 1896.
Heal's Contributions and Membership in Art Societies
Heal's work was instrumental in building Heal's reputation for over 50 years until his retirement in 1953. His designs, characterized by economical approaches and incredible attention to detail, were first showcased at the sixth exhibition of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in 1899. He became a member of the Society in 1906 and exhibited at international exhibitions in Paris (1900) and Glasgow (1901). Joining the Art Workers’ Guild in 1910, Heal capitalized on the opportunity to recruit some of C.R. Ashbee’s craftsmen when the Guild of Handicraft moved from London to Chipping Camden in 1902.
Expansion and Philosophy of Design
In 1898, Heal moved his factory to Alfred Mews, producing furniture in the true Arts and Crafts tradition. He became managing director in 1907 and chairman in 1913. Heal was a founding member of the Design and Industries Association (DIA), promoting the integration of Arts and Crafts principles into machine production. During the interwar years, Heal's expanded its product range significantly, adhering to the ideal of creating plain, straightforward, and thoroughly useful furniture.
Post-War Developments and Legacy
After contributing to the war effort during World War II, Heal's returned to its core business post-war. Ambrose Heal stepped down as chairman in 1953, succeeded by his son Anthony. He was awarded the Albert Gold Medal by The Royal Society of Arts in 1954 for services to Industrial Design. Ambrose Heal passed away on November 15, 1959, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy celebrated in his obituary in The Times as “perhaps one of the great artists and craftsmen of his time.â€
Researched and written by Tony Geering.
