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Ended

A Modern Antiquarian

The Collection of Graham Slater Part I
15 April 2025 | starting at 10:00 BST

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While a 'modern antiquarian' seems contradictory, the collection of Graham Slater (1927-2024) encompasses just this paradox as it represents a very selective, predominantly British history of the last 2000 years. Anglo-Gallic coins rub shoulders with Modern British pictures and prints by the likes of Patrick Heron and John Piper, while the vast collection of English delftware (offered at Bonhams in support of Art Fund) encapsulates one man's fascination with this very specific period in English craftmanship.

Discovery and research weave their way through the collection; both chance encounters with fragments of pottery washed up on the shores of the Thames and dedicated and methodical research which led to Graham becoming a true authority on English delftware. His most notable academic achievement is his work on 'Fecundity' dishes which resulted in a first of its kind, comprehensive paper on the history of these dishes, given to the English Ceramic Circle in 1997.

Bonhams is delighted to showcase this collection in our New Bond Street salerooms in April 2025, allowing this eclectic collection to be displayed together for one last time.

The sale of the English delftware will support Art Fund's work with museums across the UK, specifically its funding for museum professionals through the Expanding Horizons campaign - a major investment in expertise and development opportunities for people who bring museum collections to life, from curators to conservators, educator to exhibition-makers.

Auction highlights

Lot gallery

240 lots available

A very rare Irish delftware shell pickle stand or epergne, circa 1760

An exceptionally rare sealed 'Shaft and Globe' wine bottle, circa 1660-65

A very rare armorial sealed 'Onion' wine bottle, circa 1690

A rare deceptive heavy baluster dram or toastmaster's glass, circa 1710

A good mushroom-knopped heavy baluster wine glass, circa 1710-15

A rare drop-knopped heavy baluster goblet, circa 1715-20

A rare acorn-knopped sweetmeat or champagne glass, circa 1730-40

A rare baluster mead or champagne glass, circa 1730-40

Follower of Johan Anton Richter called Giovanni Richter(Swedish, 1665-1745)Church of San Michele in Isola, Venice

English School, 19th CenturyThe paddle steamer Eagle and other vessels off a headland

German School, 18th CenturyPortrait of Edmond Michael Colnette

After Justus Sustermans19th CenturyPortrait of Maria Maddalena of Austria,

Hans Sebald Beham(German, 1500-1550)Adam, Standing; Eve, Standing

A nobleman as Krishna aiming a bow at a sleeping maiden on a palace terrace, perhaps a ragamala scene (vibhasa ragini) Provincial Mughal 18th Century(3)

Krishna and Yashoda Kalighat, Calcutta, late 19th century(3)

Krishna and Balarama Kalighat, Calcutta, late 19th century

Shaykh Ibrahim Adham of Balkh visited by angels Provincial Mughal, late 18th Century

Roger Fry(British, 1866-1934)A French Watermill and Aqueduct

Ben Nicholson O.M.(British, 1894-1982)Sketches of Etruscan Vases

John Northcote Nash R.A.(British, 1893-1977)China Clay Dumps, St Austell

John Northcote Nash R.A.(British, 1893-1977)Falls Nr. Denbigh

Philip le Bas(British, born 1925)The Backs at Cambridge

George Hammond Steel(British, 1900-1960)Marazion

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