In 1925, Sir Ambrose Heal purchased a bronze cat crafted by the French sculptor Chassagne and positioned it on a window ledge overlooking the majestic Brewer Staircase in the Heal’s store on Tottenham Court Road in London. This famous set of spiralling steps was created by the architect Cecil Brewer to carry visitors up four floors to the Mansard Gallery – a space dedicated to showcasing innovative design and artworks, which existed as a vibrant and significant artistic hub for more than 60 years until its closure in the 1980s.
Those who make the ascent today emerge into the Heal's Designer Collections space - and many visitors stop to stroke the distinctive cat statue on their way. Heal loved his purchase so much he declined all offers to sell it over the years and it has become a permanent feature and mascot of the store.
Offering feline fans a chance to own a Heal's mascot of their own, the store has commissioned ten prominent designers to create their own ceramic version of the cat to be auctioned at the Heal's Christmas Party on 8 December. The designers taking part – Orla Kiely, Ikuko Iwamoto, Donna Wilson, Louise Lockhart, Rachel Cave, Mia Sarosi, Cressida Bell, Sunny Todd, Squint and Zoe Bradley – showcase the diverse aesthetics of contemporary, British-based homeware designers.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
With bids starting at £100, the auction offers an exciting way to acquire a unique piece of art while supporting a worthy cause. All profits will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital's Kiss it Better appeal, which raises money to fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer.
For information on how to bid for a Heal's Cat, contact the store at cats@heals.co.uk or visit heals.com/blog/heals-cat-charity-auction
-
Passing sentence in Brazil: the jailing of Jair BolsonaroIn the Spotlight In convicting Brazil’s former president, its Supreme Court has sent a powerful message about democratic accountability – but the victory may be only a temporary
-
Crossword: September 20, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Codeword: September 20, 2025The Week's daily codeword puzzle
-
The rise of the lost luggage auctionIn the Spotlight Lost luggage hauls are attracting millions of views online
-
Most US adults ‘have been visited by dead relative’feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
-
Sport on TV guide: Christmas 2022 and New Year listingsSpeed Read Enjoy a feast of sporting action with football, darts, rugby union, racing, NFL and NBA
-
House of the Dragon: what to expect from the Game of Thrones prequelSpeed Read Ten-part series, set 200 years before GoT, will show the incestuous decline of Targaryen
-
One in 20 young Americans identify as trans or non-binarySpeed Read New research suggests that 44% of US adults know someone who is transgender
-
The Turner Prize 2022: a ‘vintage’ shortlist?Speed Read All four artists look towards ‘growth, revival and reinvention’ in their work
-
What’s on TV this Christmas? The best holiday televisionSpeed Read From films and documentaries to musicals for all the family
-
Coco vision: up close to Chanel opticalsSpeed Read Parisian luxury house adds opticals to digital offering
