Heals of London, Attributed – Tall Arts & Crafts Oak Wing Back Armchair
£1,400
A tall Arts & Crafts oak wing back armchair, attributed to Heals of London, with shaped cornice and elongated wings designed to shelter the sitter from draughts. c.1910
This oak wing back armchair is attributed to Heals of London, produced during the Arts & Crafts movement (1880–1910). Its tall profile, shaped cornice, and elongated wings derive from the traditional porter’s chair form, intended to protect the sitter from draughts in entrance halls or vestibules.
Constructed in solid oak, the chair displays the restrained architectural lines characteristic of Heal’s workshop designs in the early twentieth century. The back and seat are upholstered in red floral fabric, visually enlivening the disciplined framework of the oak. The front and rear uprights extend into gently tapering supports, forming a stable base joined by cross stretchers of practical proportion.
The design follows the Heal’s philosophy of functional simplicity, aligning with contemporary writings of Ambrose Heal on domestic comfort and honest material expression. The wing form and shaped top rail provide sculptural definition, while the unadorned frame emphasises the craftsmanship of jointed oak construction.
Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)
Depth: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)
1910-1919
