The shattering effects of the tsunami that struck Thailand on Boxing Day, 2004, are still felt by those whose lives were devastated by it, including the families of the 93 British dead. Lord Attenborough was among the bereaved: he lost family members from three generations when the freak wave destroyed their holiday home in Khao Lak.

Since the loss of his daughter, Jane Holland, her mother-in-law, Audrey, and his 15-year-old granddaughter, Lucy – Lucy’s body was found on the beach by her father, Michael, and Lucy’s

sister Alice was seriously injured – he has maintained his silence. Now, three years on, he has dedicated an extraordinarily personal exhibition to the memory of his lost loved ones, stating simply: “I want them to be remembered.” For over half a century he and his wife, Sheila, have collected Picasso ceramics, amassing plates, glazed tiles, jugs, vases, masks, figures, all bearing the imprint of their creator. Until recently the collection of around 160 pieces – the biggest of its kind in Europe – was scattered about their west London home. “We have never had any breakages, or a moment’s worry. Of course, we’ve always had lovely cleaners, bless them,” he says.

Plans were in place to mount the exhibition in 2005. Then the disaster struck, and the Attenboroughs postponed the exhibition. Now they feel the moment is here. “The time’s come – we’re going to dedicate it to Jane and Lucy.

It was a family collection, but we’d like anyone to be able to enjoy it long after we’ve gone.”

It all started with an ashtray. In the summer of 1954 the Attenboroughs were holidaying in the south of France. They wandered into the Galerie Madoura in the arty town of Vallauris, between Cannes and Antibes. Unbeknown to them, the gallery was the sole outlet for the Madoura pottery, whose chief ceramicist since 1947 had been none other than Pablo Picasso.

In the 1950s, those who could afford to travel to the south of France were still subject to fiendish exchange controls. The maximum amount of cash allowed out of the country was £25 a year. Although this equates to about £450 in today’s terms, the frugality of this amount made for a very tight travel budget.

As they entered the gallery, the Attenboroughs were astonished by the abundance of ceramics bearing the artist’s name – and price tags. Was it possible to pick up a Picasso in such a everyday setting? “It was like entering Aladdin’s cave,” he said. After a few minutes their eyes alighted upon the ashtray. “It was small but very beautiful. I thought I could make out the price as something way out of our reach. But it seemed that Picasso always liked to have one or two items that were accessible to anyone. To our amazement it was ours for three quid.”

This trip signalled the start of an annual pilgrimage to France. “We would drive down there every summer rather than fly, and load objects into the boot. There was never any trouble with customs. They would look, see a few bits of china, and wave us through.”

On their visit to Madoura in 1963 they were surprised to find the gallery full of people. The reason soon became apparent: Picasso himself was making an appearance. “He was tiny, frail, his hand resting on his son’s shoulder for support. He was 82 then. To my amazement, Sheila and I were brought to him. It was like meeting Beethoven, to be with such a genius.”

“Picasso gave me a medallion, which he put round my neck,” says Lady Attenborough, “and told Richard that he preferred to give presents to women rather than men.” When she told Picasso that it was Richard’s birthday, he immediately relaxed his rule and signed a characteristic shirtless portrait for him. He managed to write out “Richard” well enough, but “Attenborough” proved more of a challenge. “It was the only time we met him,” says Lady Attenborough.

“It was a wonderful moment.” Picasso died in 1973 aged 91.For years the Attenboroughs kept their collection private. Its existence was known only to family and close friends. “In fact,” joked Lord Attenborough, “our friends weren’t all that interested.”

Three years ago the Attenboroughs decided to bequeath their collection to the city of Leicester. Although Attenborough was born in Cambridge, where his father was a don, he and his brothers were raised and went to school in Leicester. In 1932 his father, Frederick, was appointed principal of University College, which eventually became the University of Leicester. The family home for the three boys and two adopted Jewish girls their parents rescued from the Nazis was College House, now the university’s careers office.

“I think of Leicester as my home as much as Richmond,” says Attenborough. The ceramics will eventually be housed permanently in Leicester after their deaths; the Attenboroughs have arranged a “taster” exhibition there this summer, featuring over 100 pieces. Nowadays, the collection would probably fetch a seven-figure sum – not bad considering its origins in the shape of a modest £3 ashtray.

Picasso Ceramics: The Attenborough Collection is at Leicester’s New Walk Museum and Art Gallery from June 16 to September 30. Admission free. Tel: 0116 225 4900. Visit: www.leicester.gov.uk/museums

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