diff --git a/include/boost/python/converter/object_manager.hpp b/include/boost/python/converter/object_manager.hpp
index 6ffe6b1e..23e70a1e 100755
--- a/include/boost/python/converter/object_manager.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/converter/object_manager.hpp
@@ -21,8 +21,9 @@ class object;
 namespace boost { namespace python { namespace converter { 
 
 template <class T>
-class is_object_manager
+struct is_object_manager
 {
+ private:
     BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(bool, hdl = is_handle<T>::value);
     BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(bool, borrowed = python::detail::is_borrowed_ptr<T>::value);
  public:
diff --git a/include/boost/python/object.hpp b/include/boost/python/object.hpp
index 30b007c4..b2e0c6b3 100755
--- a/include/boost/python/object.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/object.hpp
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 # include <boost/python/object_core.hpp>
 # include <boost/python/object_attributes.hpp>
 # include <boost/python/object_items.hpp>
+# include <boost/python/object_slices.hpp>
 # include <boost/python/object_operators.hpp>
 
 namespace boost { namespace python {
diff --git a/include/boost/python/object_attributes.hpp b/include/boost/python/object_attributes.hpp
index 4c8458a4..c10608cb 100755
--- a/include/boost/python/object_attributes.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/object_attributes.hpp
@@ -14,12 +14,14 @@ namespace boost { namespace python { namespace api {
 
 struct const_attribute_policies
 {
-    static object get(object const& target, object const& key);
+    typedef char const* key_type;
+    static object get(object const& target, char const* key);
 };
   
 struct attribute_policies : const_attribute_policies
 {
-    static object const& set(object const& target, object const& key, object const& value);
+    static object const& set(object const& target, char const* key, object const& value);
+    static void del(object const&target, char const* key);
 };
 
 //
@@ -28,55 +30,38 @@ struct attribute_policies : const_attribute_policies
 template <class U>
 inline object_attribute object_operators<U>::attr(char const* name)
 {
-    object const& x = *static_cast<U*>(this);
-    return object_attribute(x, object(name));
+    object_cref x = *static_cast<U*>(this);
+    return object_attribute(x, name);
 }
 
 template <class U>
 inline const_object_attribute object_operators<U>::attr(char const* name) const
 {
-    object const& x = *static_cast<U const*>(this);
-    return const_object_attribute(x, object(name));
+    object_cref x = *static_cast<U const*>(this);
+    return const_object_attribute(x, name);
 }
 
-
-inline object const_attribute_policies::get(object const& target, object const& key)
+inline object const_attribute_policies::get(object const& target, char const* key)
 {
     return python::getattr(target, key);
 }
 
 inline object const& attribute_policies::set(
     object const& target
-    , object const& key
+    , char const* key
     , object const& value)
 {
     python::setattr(target, key, value);
     return value;
 }
 
-} // namespace api
-
-namespace converter
+inline void attribute_policies::del(
+    object const& target
+    , char const* key)
 {
-  // These specializations are a lie; the proxies do not directly
-  // manage an object. What actually happens is that the implicit
-  // conversion to object takes hold and its conversion to_python is
-  // used. That's OK in part because the object temporary *is*
-  // actually managing the object during the duration of the
-  // conversion.
-  template <>
-  struct is_object_manager<api::object_attribute>
-  {
-      BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(bool, value = true);
-  };
-
-  template <>
-  struct is_object_manager<api::const_object_attribute>
-  {
-      BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(bool, value = true);
-  };
+    python::delattr(target, key);
 }
 
-}} // namespace boost::python
+}}} // namespace boost::python::api
 
 #endif // OBJECT_ATTRIBUTES_DWA2002615_HPP
diff --git a/include/boost/python/object_core.hpp b/include/boost/python/object_core.hpp
index 762bdf90..b0b9813f 100755
--- a/include/boost/python/object_core.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/object_core.hpp
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
 # include <boost/python/detail/preprocessor.hpp>
 # include <boost/python/call.hpp>
 # include <boost/preprocessor/max.hpp>
+# include <boost/python/slice_nil.hpp>
+# include <boost/type.hpp>
 
 namespace boost { namespace python { 
 
@@ -27,12 +29,74 @@ namespace api
   struct attribute_policies;
   struct const_item_policies;
   struct item_policies;
+  struct const_slice_policies;
+  struct slice_policies;
 
   typedef proxy<const_attribute_policies> const_object_attribute;
   typedef proxy<attribute_policies> object_attribute;
   typedef proxy<const_item_policies> const_object_item;
   typedef proxy<item_policies> object_item;
+  typedef proxy<const_slice_policies> const_object_slice;
+  typedef proxy<slice_policies> object_slice;
 
+  //
+  // is_proxy -- proxy type detection
+  //
+# ifndef BOOST_NO_TEMPLATE_PARTIAL_SPECIALIZATION
+  template <class T>
+  struct is_proxy
+  {
+      BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(bool, value = false);
+  };
+  template <class T>
+  struct is_proxy<proxy<T> >
+  {
+      BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(bool, value = true);
+  };
+# else
+  typedef char yes_proxy;
+  typedef char (&no_proxy)[2];
+  template <class T>
+  yes_proxy is_proxy_helper(boost::type<proxy<T> >*);
+  no_proxy is_proxy_helper(...);
+  template <class T>
+  struct is_proxy
+  {
+      BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(
+          bool, value = (sizeof(is_proxy_helper((boost::type<T>*)0))
+                         == sizeof(yes_proxy)));
+  };
+# endif 
+
+  //
+  // object_handle -- get the handle to construct the object with,
+  // based on whether T is a proxy or not
+  //
+  template <bool = false>
+  struct object_handle
+  {
+      template <class T>
+      static handle<> get(T const& x)
+      {
+          return handle<>(
+              python::borrowed(
+                  python::allow_null( // null check is already done
+                      converter::arg_to_python<T>(x).get())
+                  )
+              );
+      }
+  };
+      
+  template <>
+  struct object_handle<true>
+  {
+      template <class Policies>
+      static handle<> get(proxy<Policies> const& x)
+      {
+          return x.operator object().ptr();
+      }
+  };
+      
   // A way to turn a conrete type T into a type dependent on U. This
   // keeps conforming compilers from complaining about returning an
   // incomplete T from a template member function (which must be
@@ -54,12 +118,19 @@ namespace api
 # else 
       typedef object self_cref;
 # endif
+
+     // there appears to be a codegen bug here. We prevent the early
+     // destruction of a temporary in CWPro8 by binding a named
+     // object instead.
+# if __MWERKS__ != 0x3000 
+    typedef object const& object_cref;
+# else
+    typedef object const object_cref;
+# endif
       
    public:
-      // Attribute access via x.attr("attribute_name")
-      const_object_attribute attr(char const*) const;
-      object_attribute attr(char const*);
-
+      // function call
+      //
       object operator()() const;
 
 # ifndef BOOST_PYTHON_GENERATE_CODE
@@ -81,10 +152,17 @@ namespace api
           , BOOST_PYTHON_OBJECT_CALL, ignored)
 
       // truth value testing
+      //
       operator bool_type() const;
       bool operator!() const; // needed for vc6
 
+      // Attribute access
+      //
+      const_object_attribute attr(char const*) const;
+      object_attribute attr(char const*);
+
       // item access
+      //
       const_object_item operator[](self_cref) const;
       object_item operator[](self_cref);
     
@@ -110,6 +188,47 @@ namespace api
       }
 # endif
 
+      // slicing
+      //
+      const_object_slice slice(self_cref, self_cref) const;
+      object_slice slice(self_cref, self_cref);
+
+      const_object_slice slice(slice_nil, self_cref) const;
+      object_slice slice(slice_nil, self_cref);
+                             
+      const_object_slice slice(self_cref, slice_nil) const;
+      object_slice slice(self_cref, slice_nil);
+                             
+# if !defined(BOOST_MSVC) || BOOST_MSVC > 1300
+      template <class T, class V>
+      const_object_slice
+      slice(T const& start, V const& end) const;
+    
+      template <class T, class V>
+      object_slice
+      slice(T const& start, V const& end);
+
+# else
+      template <class T, class V>
+      const_object_slice
+      slice(T const& start, V const& end) const
+      {
+          return this->slice(
+               slice_bound<T>::type(start)
+              ,  slice_bound<V>::type(end));
+      }
+    
+      template <class T, class V>
+      object_slice
+      slice(T const& start, V const& end)
+      {
+          return this->slice(
+              slice_bound<T>::type(start)
+              , slice_bound<V>::type(end));
+      }
+# endif
+
+
 # if BOOST_MSVC == 1200
       // For whatever reason, VC6 generates incorrect code unless we
       // define this
@@ -128,12 +247,7 @@ namespace api
       // explicit conversion from any C++ object to Python
       template <class T>
       explicit object(T const& x)
-          : m_ptr(
-              python::borrowed(
-                  python::allow_null( // null check is already done
-                      converter::arg_to_python<T>(x).get())
-                  )
-              )
+          : m_ptr(object_handle<is_proxy<T>::value>::get(x))
       {
       }
 
@@ -141,12 +255,7 @@ namespace api
       // literals. Otherwise, they get deduced as char[N]const& above
       // and conversion fails at runtime.
       explicit object(char const* x)
-          : m_ptr(
-              python::borrowed(
-                  python::allow_null( // null check is already done
-                      converter::arg_to_python<char const*>(x).get())
-                  )
-              )
+          : m_ptr(object_handle<>::get(x))
       {
       }
     
diff --git a/include/boost/python/object_items.hpp b/include/boost/python/object_items.hpp
index a91ebcd8..e07a9e50 100755
--- a/include/boost/python/object_items.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/object_items.hpp
@@ -14,12 +14,14 @@ namespace boost { namespace python { namespace api {
 
 struct const_item_policies
 {
+    typedef object key_type;
     static object get(object const& target, object const& key);
 };
   
 struct item_policies : const_item_policies
 {
     static object const& set(object const& target, object const& key, object const& value);
+    static void del(object const& target, object const& key);
 };
 
 //
@@ -29,7 +31,7 @@ template <class U>
 inline object_item
 object_operators<U>::operator[](self_cref key)
 {
-    object const& x = *static_cast<U*>(this);
+    object_cref x = *static_cast<U*>(this);
     return object_item(x, key);
 }
 
@@ -37,7 +39,7 @@ template <class U>
 inline const_object_item
 object_operators<U>::operator[](self_cref key) const
 {
-    object const& x = *static_cast<U const*>(this);
+    object_cref x = *static_cast<U const*>(this);
     return const_object_item(x, key);
 }
 
@@ -62,7 +64,7 @@ object_operators<U>::operator[](T const& key)
 
 inline object const_item_policies::get(object const& target, object const& key)
 {
-    return python::getitem(target, key);
+    return getitem(target, key);
 }
 
 inline object const& item_policies::set(
@@ -70,33 +72,17 @@ inline object const& item_policies::set(
     , object const& key
     , object const& value)
 {
-    python::setitem(target, key, value);
+    setitem(target, key, value);
     return value;
 }
 
-} // namespace api
-
-namespace converter
+inline void item_policies::del(
+    object const& target
+    , object const& key)
 {
-  // These specializations are a lie; the proxies do not directly
-  // manage an object. What actually happens is that the implicit
-  // conversion to object takes hold and its conversion to_python is
-  // used. That's OK in part because the object temporary *is*
-  // actually managing the object during the duration of the
-  // conversion.
-  template <>
-  struct is_object_manager<api::object_item>
-  {
-      BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(bool, value = true);
-  };
-
-  template <>
-  struct is_object_manager<api::const_object_item>
-  {
-      BOOST_STATIC_CONSTANT(bool, value = true);
-  };
+    delitem(target, key);
 }
 
-}} // namespace boost::python
+}}} // namespace boost::python::api
 
 #endif // OBJECT_ITEMS_DWA2002615_HPP
diff --git a/include/boost/python/object_protocol.hpp b/include/boost/python/object_protocol.hpp
index 27461e26..fe21be17 100755
--- a/include/boost/python/object_protocol.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/object_protocol.hpp
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 # include <boost/python/object_protocol_core.hpp>
 # include <boost/python/object_core.hpp>
 
-namespace boost { namespace python { 
+namespace boost { namespace python { namespace api {
 
 template <class Target, class Key>
 object getattr(Target const& target, Key const& key)
@@ -26,6 +26,12 @@ void setattr(object const& target, Key const& key, Value const& value)
     return setattr(target, object(key), object(value));
 }
 
+template <class Key>
+void delattr(object const& target, Key const& key)
+{
+    delattr(target, object(key));
+}
+
 template <class Target, class Key>
 object getitem(Target const& target, Key const& key)
 {
@@ -39,7 +45,30 @@ void setitem(object const& target, Key const& key, Value const& value)
     return setitem(target, object(key), object(value));
 }
 
+template <class Key>
+void delitem(object const& target, Key const& key)
+{
+    delitem(target, object(key));
+}
 
-}} // namespace boost::python
+template <class Target, class Begin, class End>
+object getslice(Target const& target, Begin const& begin, End const& end)
+{
+    return getslice(object(target), object(begin), object(end));
+}
+
+template <class Begin, class End, class Value>
+void setslice(object const& target, Begin const& begin, End const& end, Value const& value)
+{
+    return setslice(target, object(begin), object(end), object(value));
+}
+
+template <class Begin, class End>
+void delslice(object const& target, Begin const& begin, End const& end)
+{
+    delslice(target, object(begin), object(end));
+}
+
+}}} // namespace boost::python::api
 
 #endif // OBJECT_PROTOCOL_DWA2002615_HPP
diff --git a/include/boost/python/object_protocol_core.hpp b/include/boost/python/object_protocol_core.hpp
index 9fc28415..548f9c7a 100755
--- a/include/boost/python/object_protocol_core.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/object_protocol_core.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 #ifndef OBJECT_PROTOCOL_CORE_DWA2002615_HPP
 # define OBJECT_PROTOCOL_CORE_DWA2002615_HPP
 
+# include <boost/python/handle_fwd.hpp>
+
 namespace boost { namespace python { 
 
 namespace api
@@ -14,14 +16,34 @@ namespace api
 
   BOOST_PYTHON_DECL object getattr(object const& target, object const& key);
   BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void setattr(object const& target, object const& key, object const& value);
+  BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void delattr(object const& target, object const& key);
+
+  // These are defined for efficiency, since attributes are commonly
+  // accessed through literal strings.
+  BOOST_PYTHON_DECL object getattr(object const& target, char const* key);
+  BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void setattr(object const& target, char const* key, object const& value);
+  BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void delattr(object const& target, char const* key);
+  
   BOOST_PYTHON_DECL object getitem(object const& target, object const& key);
   BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void setitem(object const& target, object const& key, object const& value);
+  BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void delitem(object const& target, object const& key);
+
+  BOOST_PYTHON_DECL object getslice(object const& target, handle<> const& begin, handle<> const& end);
+  BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void setslice(object const& target, handle<> const& begin, handle<> const& end, object const& value);
+  BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void delslice(object const& target, handle<> const& begin, handle<> const& end);
 }
 
 using api::getattr;
 using api::setattr;
+using api::delattr;
+
 using api::getitem;
 using api::setitem;
+using api::delitem;
+
+using api::getslice;
+using api::setslice;
+using api::delslice;
 
 }} // namespace boost::python
 
diff --git a/include/boost/python/object_slices.hpp b/include/boost/python/object_slices.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3e61d2da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/boost/python/object_slices.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+// Copyright David Abrahams 2002. Permission to copy, use,
+// modify, sell and distribute this software is granted provided this
+// copyright notice appears in all copies. This software is provided
+// "as is" without express or implied warranty, and with no claim as
+// to its suitability for any purpose.
+#ifndef OBJECT_SLICES_DWA2002615_HPP
+# define OBJECT_SLICES_DWA2002615_HPP
+
+# include <boost/python/proxy.hpp>
+# include <boost/python/object_core.hpp>
+# include <boost/python/object_protocol.hpp>
+# include <utility>
+
+namespace boost { namespace python { namespace api {
+
+struct const_slice_policies
+{
+    typedef std::pair<handle<>, handle<> > key_type;
+    static object get(object const& target, key_type const& key);
+};
+  
+struct slice_policies : const_slice_policies
+{
+    static object const& set(object const& target, key_type const& key, object const& value);
+    static void del(object const& target, key_type const& key);
+};
+
+//
+// implementation
+//
+template <class U>
+object_slice
+object_operators<U>::slice(self_cref start, self_cref finish)
+{
+    object_cref x = *static_cast<U*>(this);
+    return object_slice(x, std::make_pair(start.ptr(), finish.ptr()));
+}
+
+template <class U>
+const_object_slice
+object_operators<U>::slice(self_cref start, self_cref finish) const
+{
+    object_cref x = *static_cast<U const*>(this);
+    return const_object_slice(x, std::make_pair(start.ptr(), finish.ptr()));
+}
+
+template <class U>
+object_slice
+object_operators<U>::slice(slice_nil, self_cref finish)
+{
+    object_cref x = *static_cast<U*>(this);
+    return object_slice(x, std::make_pair(handle<>(), finish.ptr()));
+}
+
+template <class U>
+const_object_slice
+object_operators<U>::slice(slice_nil, self_cref finish) const
+{
+    object_cref x = *static_cast<U const*>(this);
+    return const_object_slice(x, std::make_pair(handle<>(), finish.ptr()));
+}
+
+template <class U>
+object_slice
+object_operators<U>::slice(self_cref start, slice_nil)
+{
+    object_cref x = *static_cast<U*>(this);
+    return object_slice(x, std::make_pair(start.ptr(), handle<>()));
+}
+
+template <class U>
+const_object_slice
+object_operators<U>::slice(self_cref start, slice_nil) const
+{
+    object_cref x = *static_cast<U const*>(this);
+    return const_object_slice(x, std::make_pair(start.ptr(), handle<>()));
+}
+# if !defined(BOOST_MSVC) || BOOST_MSVC > 1300
+template <class U>
+template <class T, class V>
+inline const_object_slice
+object_operators<U>::slice(T const& start, V const& end) const
+{
+    return this->slice(
+        typename slice_bound<T>::type(start)
+        , typename slice_bound<V>::type(end));
+}
+
+template <class U>
+template <class T, class V>
+inline object_slice
+object_operators<U>::slice(T const& start, V const& end)
+{
+    return this->slice(
+        typename slice_bound<T>::type(start)
+        , typename slice_bound<V>::type(end));
+}
+# endif 
+
+
+inline object const_slice_policies::get(object const& target, key_type const& key)
+{
+    return getslice(target, key.first, key.second);
+}
+
+inline object const& slice_policies::set(
+    object const& target
+    , key_type const& key
+    , object const& value)
+{
+    setslice(target, key.first, key.second, value);
+    return value;
+}
+
+inline void slice_policies::del(
+    object const& target
+    , key_type const& key)
+{
+    delslice(target, key.first, key.second);
+}
+
+}}} // namespace boost::python::api
+
+#endif // OBJECT_SLICES_DWA2002615_HPP
diff --git a/include/boost/python/proxy.hpp b/include/boost/python/proxy.hpp
index b74d155c..385d4b3d 100755
--- a/include/boost/python/proxy.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/python/proxy.hpp
@@ -13,13 +13,15 @@ namespace boost { namespace python { namespace api {
 template <class Policies>
 class proxy : public object_operators<proxy<Policies> >
 {
+    typedef typename Policies::key_type key_type;
+    
 # if !defined(BOOST_MSVC) || BOOST_MSVC > 1200
     typedef proxy const& copy_ctor_self;
 # else
     typedef proxy copy_ctor_self;
 # endif
  public:
-    proxy(object const& target, object const& key);
+    proxy(object const& target, key_type const& key);
     operator object() const;
 
     // to support a[b] = c[d]
@@ -31,18 +33,28 @@ class proxy : public object_operators<proxy<Policies> >
         Policies::set(m_target, m_key, object(rhs));
         return *this;
     }
-    
+
+ public: // implementation detail
+    void del() const;
+        
  private:
     object m_target;
-    object m_key;
+    key_type m_key;
 };
 
+
+template <class T>
+inline void del(proxy<T> const& x)
+{
+    x.del();
+}
+
 //
 // implementation
 //
 
 template <class Policies>
-inline proxy<Policies>::proxy(object const& target, object const& key)
+inline proxy<Policies>::proxy(object const& target, key_type const& key)
     : m_target(target), m_key(key)
 {}
 
@@ -78,6 +90,12 @@ BOOST_PYTHON_PROXY_INPLACE(^=)
 BOOST_PYTHON_PROXY_INPLACE(|=)
 # undef BOOST_PYTHON_PROXY_INPLACE
 
+template <class Policies>
+inline void proxy<Policies>::del() const
+{
+    Policies::del(m_target, m_key);
+}
+
 }}} // namespace boost::python::api
 
 #endif // PROXY_DWA2002615_HPP
diff --git a/include/boost/python/slice_nil.hpp b/include/boost/python/slice_nil.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cb169116
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/boost/python/slice_nil.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+// Copyright David Abrahams 2002. Permission to copy, use,
+// modify, sell and distribute this software is granted provided this
+// copyright notice appears in all copies. This software is provided
+// "as is" without express or implied warranty, and with no claim as
+// to its suitability for any purpose.
+#ifndef SLICE_NIL_DWA2002620_HPP
+# define SLICE_NIL_DWA2002620_HPP
+
+namespace boost { namespace python { namespace api {
+
+class object;
+
+enum slice_nil
+{
+# ifndef _ // Watch out for GNU gettext users, who #define _(x)
+      _
+# endif 
+};
+
+template <class T>
+struct slice_bound
+{
+    typedef object type;
+};
+
+template <>
+struct slice_bound<slice_nil>
+{
+    typedef slice_nil type;
+};
+
+}
+
+using api::slice_nil;
+# ifndef _ // Watch out for GNU gettext users, who #define _(x)
+using api::_;
+# endif 
+
+}} // namespace boost::python
+
+#endif // SLICE_NIL_DWA2002620_HPP
diff --git a/src/object_protocol.cpp b/src/object_protocol.cpp
index 3e9baa35..abcb7994 100755
--- a/src/object_protocol.cpp
+++ b/src/object_protocol.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,40 @@ BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void setattr(object const& target, object const& key, object c
         throw_error_already_set();
 }
 
+BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void delattr(object const& target, object const& key)
+{
+    if (PyObject_DelAttr(target.ptr().get(), key.ptr().get()) == -1)
+        throw_error_already_set();
+}
+
+BOOST_PYTHON_DECL object getattr(object const& target, char const* key)
+{
+    return object(
+        (object::new_pyobject_reference*)
+        PyObject_GetAttrString(target.ptr().get(), const_cast<char*>(key))
+        );
+}
+    
+BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void setattr(object const& target, char const* key, object const& value)
+{
+    if (PyObject_SetAttrString(
+            target.ptr().get(), const_cast<char*>(key), value.ptr().get()) == -1
+        )
+    {
+        throw_error_already_set();
+    }
+}
+
+BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void delattr(object const& target, char const* key)
+{
+    if (PyObject_DelAttrString(
+            target.ptr().get(), const_cast<char*>(key)) == -1
+        )
+    {
+        throw_error_already_set();
+    }
+}
+
 BOOST_PYTHON_DECL object getitem(object const& target, object const& key)
 {
     return object((object::new_pyobject_reference*)PyObject_GetItem(target.ptr().get(), key.ptr().get()));
@@ -31,5 +65,104 @@ BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void setitem(object const& target, object const& key, object c
     if (PyObject_SetItem(target.ptr().get(), key.ptr().get(), value.ptr().get()) == -1)
         throw_error_already_set();
 }
+    
+BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void delitem(object const& target, object const& key)
+{
+    if (PyObject_DelItem(target.ptr().get(), key.ptr().get()) == -1)
+        throw_error_already_set();
+}
+
+namespace // slicing code copied directly out of the Python implementation
+{
+  #undef ISINT
+  #define ISINT(x) ((x) == NULL || PyInt_Check(x) || PyLong_Check(x))
+
+  static PyObject *
+  apply_slice(PyObject *u, PyObject *v, PyObject *w) /* return u[v:w] */
+  {
+      PyTypeObject *tp = u->ob_type;
+      PySequenceMethods *sq = tp->tp_as_sequence;
+
+      if (sq && sq->sq_slice && ISINT(v) && ISINT(w)) {
+          int ilow = 0, ihigh = INT_MAX;
+          if (!_PyEval_SliceIndex(v, &ilow))
+              return NULL;
+          if (!_PyEval_SliceIndex(w, &ihigh))
+              return NULL;
+          return PySequence_GetSlice(u, ilow, ihigh);
+      }
+      else {
+          PyObject *slice = PySlice_New(v, w, NULL);
+          if (slice != NULL) {
+              PyObject *res = PyObject_GetItem(u, slice);
+              Py_DECREF(slice);
+              return res;
+          }
+          else
+              return NULL;
+      }
+  }
+
+  static int
+  assign_slice(PyObject *u, PyObject *v, PyObject *w, PyObject *x)
+      /* u[v:w] = x */
+  {
+      PyTypeObject *tp = u->ob_type;
+      PySequenceMethods *sq = tp->tp_as_sequence;
+
+      if (sq && sq->sq_slice && ISINT(v) && ISINT(w)) {
+          int ilow = 0, ihigh = INT_MAX;
+          if (!_PyEval_SliceIndex(v, &ilow))
+              return -1;
+          if (!_PyEval_SliceIndex(w, &ihigh))
+              return -1;
+          if (x == NULL)
+              return PySequence_DelSlice(u, ilow, ihigh);
+          else
+              return PySequence_SetSlice(u, ilow, ihigh, x);
+      }
+      else {
+          PyObject *slice = PySlice_New(v, w, NULL);
+          if (slice != NULL) {
+              int res;
+              if (x != NULL)
+                  res = PyObject_SetItem(u, slice, x);
+              else
+                  res = PyObject_DelItem(u, slice);
+              Py_DECREF(slice);
+              return res;
+          }
+          else
+              return -1;
+      }
+  }
+}
+
+BOOST_PYTHON_DECL object getslice(object const& target, handle<> const& begin, handle<> const& end)
+{
+    return object(
+        (object::new_pyobject_reference*)
+        apply_slice(target.ptr().get(), begin.get(), end.get()));
+}
+
+BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void setslice(object const& target, handle<> const& begin, handle<> const& end, object const& value)
+{
+    if (assign_slice(
+            target.ptr().get(), begin.get(), end.get(), value.ptr().get()) == -1
+        )
+    {
+        throw_error_already_set();
+    }
+}
+
+BOOST_PYTHON_DECL void delslice(object const& target, handle<> const& begin, handle<> const& end)
+{
+    if (assign_slice(
+            target.ptr().get(), begin.get(), end.get(), 0) == -1
+        )
+    {
+        throw_error_already_set();
+    }
+}
 
 }}} // namespace boost::python::api
diff --git a/test/object.cpp b/test/object.cpp
index e2940e77..9bcf54a4 100755
--- a/test/object.cpp
+++ b/test/object.cpp
@@ -113,6 +113,22 @@ bool test_not_item(object y, object key)
     return !y[key];
 }
 
+bool check_string_slice()
+{
+    object s("hello, world");
+
+    if (s.slice(_,-3) != "hello, wo")
+        return false;
+    
+    if (s.slice(-3,_) != "rld")
+        return false;
+    
+    if (", " != s.slice(5,7))
+        return false;
+
+    return s.slice(2,-1).slice(1,-1)  == "lo, wor";
+}
+
 bool check_binary_operators()
 {
     int y;
@@ -295,6 +311,7 @@ BOOST_PYTHON_MODULE_INIT(object_ext)
 
         .def("check_binary_operators", check_binary_operators)
         .def("check_inplace", check_inplace)
+        .def("check_string_slice", check_string_slice)
         ;
 }
 
diff --git a/test/object.py b/test/object.py
index e3cb9dc1..54744809 100644
--- a/test/object.py
+++ b/test/object.py
@@ -80,10 +80,15 @@
 >>> test_not_item(d, 'foo')
 1
 
+        Slices
+        
+>>> assert check_string_slice()
+
         Operators
 
         
 >>> assert check_binary_operators()
+
 >>> class X: pass
 ...
 >>> assert check_inplace(range(3), X())