Beginning in the 1960s, as he established his first London home, Donald developed an enduring appreciation for 18th-century English furniture, often selecting pieces from the eminent M. Harris & Sons on Oxford Street. A pivotal relationship formed with John Morris — first at Harris and later in his own Petworth showroom — whose eye and integrity Donald trusted implicitly. Many weekends were spent in Sussex, and visits to Morris’s shop were joyful rituals, often following mornings spent gardening at Willow Cottage.

Donald’s exacting eye extended to Fulham Road’s H.C. Baxter & Sons, where Roy Baxter guided acquisitions for his townhouse on Campden Hill Square. He kept meticulous records of each purchase, reflecting both his thoughtful nature and the collector’s instinct he so humbly disavowed.

While English furniture formed the core of the collection, Donald’s sensibilities were broader. Wartime years spent in Wales left him with a lasting affection for Welsh vernacular design — coffor bachs and cricket tables appeared in each home. With a familial tie to India, he cultivated a fine collection of Company School paintings, enhanced through the respected hands of Eyre & Hobhouse, two of which were exhibited in Washington D.C.

Silver was a passion too — particularly that of the master silversmith Leslie Durbin, a protégé of Omar Ramsden. Many pieces were personally commissioned and later featured in Goldsmiths’ Hall’s retrospective in 1982.

Donald’s and Hilary’s warmth fostered meaningful friendships with artists and dealers alike. Jonathan Kenworthy and Stephen Paisnel became part of their creative circle, while works by Augustus John and Alberto Morrocco brought vitality to the walls of Campden Hill Square. In later years, after Hilary’s death, Donald was drawn to the quiet abstraction of Cornish artist Denis Mitchell — a nod to the sea-bound landscapes he so loved.

Modesty may have kept Donald from identifying as a collector, but the legacy he leaves behind tells another story — one of vision, dedication, and the enduring art of living with beauty.

Auction Highlights

Auction Details

Wednesday 29 April, 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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Viewing:

• Viewing at Dreweatts London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
  • Tuesday 7 April: 10am-4pm
  • Wednesday 8 April: 10am-4pm
• Dreweatts Newbury, Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
  • Sunday 26 April: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 27 April: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 28 April: 10am-4pm
  • Wednesday 29 April: 9am-1pm

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