Furniture Makers gift Anthony Heal portrait to Heal’s

The​ Furniture Makers’ Company has gifted a historic portrait of furniture designer and retailer Anthony Heal to Heal’s, strengthening the connection between two organisations closely linked through the history of the British furniture industry.

The oil painting was originally presented to Anthony Heal by the staff of Heal and Son in 1960, during the year he served as Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company. Heal, a prominent figure in British furniture design and retail, played a key role in the development of Heal’s during the 20th century, serving as chairman from 1952 to 1981.

Anthony was part of the Heal family dynasty behind the renowned London retailer. He was the son of influential designer Sir Ambrose Heal and a descendant of John Harris Heal, who founded Heal’s in 1810.

In addition, Anthony was one of the founders of The Furniture Makers Guild, formed in 1951 before it became the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers in 1963.

The Furniture Makers recently received another portrait of Anthony Heal as a gift from the wife of his son, Oliver Heal, following Oliver’s passing. As a portrait of Anthony already hangs in Furniture Makers’ Hall, the Company decided the existing painting would be best returned to the business with which Heal was so closely associated.

Earlier this year, Heal’s CEO Hamish Mansbridge visited Furniture Makers’ Hall to receive the painting from Debbie Johnson, the current Master of the Furniture Makers’ Company, who gratefully accepted the portrait on behalf of the business.