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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

George Hammond Steel(British, 1900-1960)Essex Wood, Winter

George Hammond Steel(British, 1900-1960)Drying Sails, Mousehole

David Jones C.H. C.B.E.(British, 1895-1974)Leopard

David Jones C.H. C.B.E.(British, 1895-1974)Marine Hotel, Sidmouth; February 1937

Paul Nash(British, 1889-1946)Black Poplar Pond

John O'Connor(British, 1913-2004)Garden at Night

Donald Hamilton Fraser R.A.(British, 1929-2009)Landscape - Mountain Village

Ian Fleming RSA RSW RWA RGI LLD HonDart(British, 1906-1994)The Beech Hedge

Fred Uhlman(British, 1901-1985)Sicilian Landscape

Edward Bawden R.A.(British, 1903-1989)Town Hall Yard

Edward Bawden R.A.(British, 1903-1989)Wingfield Manor, Derbyshire, Looking towards the State Apartments

Edward Bawden R.A.(British, 1903-1989)Church and Palm Trees

Edward Bawden R.A.(British, 1903-1989)The Nag's Head, Braintree

Edward Bawden R.A.(British, 1903-1989)The Tower of London, from Nine London Monuments

Edward Bawden R.A.(British, 1903-1989)Smithfield Market, from Six London Markets

Edward Bawden R.A.(British, 1903-1989)Rough Sketch for the Cover Design of The Listener, Travel Number

Keith Vaughan(British, 1912-1977)Felled Trees at Ashton Gifford

John Humphrey Spender(British, 1910-2005)Salisbury Plain, Wartime 1941

Christopher Wood(British, 1901-1930)The Beach Scene, Nice

Christopher Wood(British, 1901-1930)Seated Female Nude

Graham Sutherland O.M.(British, 1903-1980)Roses

Graham Sutherland O.M.(British, 1903-1980)Thorn Cross

Graham Sutherland OM(British, 1903-1980)Study of an Apple Tree

Victor Pasmore R.A.(British, 1908-1998)Blue Movement and Green, from Kelpra/Tate Gallery Portfolio

John Piper C.H.(British, 1903-1992)Buckden in a Storm

John Piper C.H.(British, 1903-1992)London Skyline

John Piper C.H.(British, 1903-1992)Architectural Study

John Piper C.H.(British, 1903-1992)Sketch III for the Exterior Mural on the North Thames Gas Building

John Piper C.H.(British, 1903-1992)Entrance at Midnight

John Piper C.H.(British, 1903-1992)Ghosts at Lyveden

John Piper C.H.(British, 1903-1992)Derelict Barn, Lewknor

John Piper C.H.(British, 1903-1992)King's College Cambridge, View from Trinity

Mary Fedden R.A., P.P.R.W.A.(British, 1915-2012)On The Shore

Michael Ayrton(British, 1921-1975)Invador 38.5cm (15in) high including base; 34cm (13 3/8in) high excluding base Conceived in 1972

Michael Ayrton(British, 1921-1975)Bust of Hector Berlioz 49cm (18in) high including base; 39cm (15 3/8in) high excluding base

George Large, RI, RBA(British, born 1936)Tree Pruning

Michael Ayrton(British, 1921-1975)St Anthony, No. XI, The Woman

Alison Watt OBE FRSE RSA(British, born 1965)Winter Head Study

Edward McKnight Kauffer(American, 1891-1954)Sketch for Checkmate

Carel Weight R.A.(British, 1908-1997)Cycling at Sunset

Patrick Heron(British, 1920-1999)MINI FEBRUARY I : 1974

Patrick Heron(British, 1920-1999)11: TWO GREENS WITH VIOLET AND BLUE: 1967; 18: FIRST VERTICAL SCREENPRINT: 1976 from The Shapes of Colour: 1943-1978 2

Bernard Meadows(British, 1915-2005)Pointing Figure 32cm (12 5/8in) high

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