With the death of Christopher Monkhouse, after a brief illness, on 12 January 2021, the Anglo-American decorative arts and architecture world has lost one of its most highly accomplished and beloved members. Christopher was a perfect exemplar of the old-fashioned, object-obsessed curator. He was born into collecting, in fact – both his parents and both his brothers were collectors – and came armed with a formidable visual and anecdotal memory. In matters of dress and behaviour he was meticulous, impeccable and resolutely, unapologetically traditional. In matters technological, he was pre-digital: no cell phone, no email. He was his own man; but he also had a remarkable gift for making and keeping friends.