15 Facts About George Salting

George Salting was an Colony of New South Wales-born British art collector.

George Salting had inherited considerable wealth from his father; Salting collected paintings, Chinese porcelains, furniture, and many other categories of art and decorative items.

George Salting was educated locally and then moved with his family to England and studied at Eton College.

In 1853 the family returned to New South Wales, and George Salting entered the newly founded University of Sydney.

George Salting graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1857.

Severin George Salting settled in Kent, where he died in 1865.

Largely influenced by the connoisseur Louis Huth, George Salting began collecting Chinese porcelain, developing a fine discriminating taste for it.

George Salting was a careful buyer, as a rule dealing only with two or three dealers whom he felt he could trust, though he sometimes bought at auction.

George Salting often obtained expert advice and his own knowledge was always growing.

George Salting lived modestly mostly in London, occupying just two living rooms.

George Salting never married and he did not give largely to charities.

George Salting died in London and is buried in Brompton Cemetery.

George Salting left his entire collection of paintings, Oriental china, bronzes, and miniatures, valued at from $5,000,000 to $20,000,000, to British museums.

George Salting bequeathed his paintings to the National Gallery, London, and his prints and drawings to the British Museum as the respective trustees might select.

George Salting gave three paintings to the National Gallery during his life, and bequeathed an additional 192 in his will.