If you asked Heal’s to choose the one piece that best encapsulates its history, it might well be the ‘Owl’ cabinet. Originally designed by Ambrose Heal – the great-grandson of the brand’s founder – at the turn of the 20th century, the pioneering storage piece quickly became one of the company’s most distinctive and enduring designs, remaining in production until 1927. It also signalled a new direction for Heal’s, marking its departure from ornate Victorian furniture towards the pared-back ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement championed by William Morris.
Raised on a simple plinth, the cabinet is crafted from solid oak wood, and takes its name from the oversized circular roundels (like the birds’ large eyes) on its cupboard doors. Yet it was a subtler detail – the heart-shaped recessed handles – that proved to be its greatest innovation. By eliminating any protruding hardware, Ambrose created a smooth, uninterrupted surface that felt modern and established a design language that would become a recurring motif throughout Heal’s furniture ranges.
Until now, the ‘Owl’ has largely been the preserve of vintage dealers and Facebook Marketplace scavengers, where originals regularly cost more than their pre-war retail value. That is about to change. This autumn, Heal’s is reintroducing the cabinet as a limited-edition release, available exclusively from its Tottenham Court Road flagship store. Faithful to the original, the new edition retains its sturdy, solid- timber construction, traditional dovetail drawers and tongue-and-groove back panels – a fitting revival of a design that embodies Heal’s maxim: ‘If in doubt, innovate.’ heals.com
