Not currently on display at the V&A

Armchair

ca. 1922 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The furniture designer and retailer Ambrose Heal collaborated on the design of this chair with the architect Philip Tilden for use at Chartwell, the house Tilden renovated for Sir Winston Churchill in Kent. It was part of a dining suite that later entered the catalogue of Heal's furniture shop in Tottenham Court Road, London -- this being one of Heal's versions. The open-lattice back is inspired by late eighteenth-century English chairs with a lattice of diamonds or hexagons, typically formed with thinner, moulded members rather than the undetailed squares used here. The style of this chair typifies Ambrose Heal's stripped-back Georgian manner and also owes much to the honesty and clarity of Arts and Crafts furniture.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Armchair
  • Chair Seat
Materials and techniques
English walnut
Brief description
Walnut latticeback armchair, designed by Sir Ambrose Heal and Philip Tilden, about 1922
Physical description
Lattice-back walnut armchair with upholstered seat
Dimensions
  • Height: 102cm
  • Width: 58.5cm
  • Depth: 53cm
Dimensions from register entry
Gallery label
LATTICE-BACK CHAIR Designed by Ambrose Heal (British, 1872-1959) and Philip Tilden (British, 1887-1956) Made by Heal and Son, London English Walnut About 1922 Part of a set of furniture designed by Heal and modified by architect Tilden for his client Winston Churchill for the latter's family home, Chartwell. Heal's started producing the modified version shortly after the commissioned pieces were delivered. Given by Heal and Son W.47-1979(1989-2006)
Credit line
Given by Heal and Son
Historical context
Original design for Winston Churchill's house at Chartwell.
Association
Summary
The furniture designer and retailer Ambrose Heal collaborated on the design of this chair with the architect Philip Tilden for use at Chartwell, the house Tilden renovated for Sir Winston Churchill in Kent. It was part of a dining suite that later entered the catalogue of Heal's furniture shop in Tottenham Court Road, London -- this being one of Heal's versions. The open-lattice back is inspired by late eighteenth-century English chairs with a lattice of diamonds or hexagons, typically formed with thinner, moulded members rather than the undetailed squares used here. The style of this chair typifies Ambrose Heal's stripped-back Georgian manner and also owes much to the honesty and clarity of Arts and Crafts furniture.
Bibliographic reference
A History of Heals, Susanna Goodden, Heal and Son Ltd, 1984.
Collection
Accession number
W.47:1, 2-1979

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 25, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSON