ETCHINGS, drawings and watercolours which had adorned the walls of Oxford's historic Ashmolean Museum are set to be sold off at auction.

The collection of 14 artworks assembled by Jean and Bill Beale will be sold at Mallams in Oxford this week where it is expected the works will fetch tens of thousands of pounds.

Among the works, some of which are estimated to be worth around £8,000, are a a pen, ink and watercolour Greek island landscape from author and artist Edward Lear as well as depiction of the Virgin Mary with an infant Christ attributed to Guido Reni.

Other works which Mallams say could net between £3,000 and £5,000 include a 'Madonna and Child' with saints Anthony of Padua and Anthony Abbot by Giacinto Gimignani.

A spokesperson for the auctioneer said of the collection: "A birthday or a wedding anniversary meant a joyful trip to a central London art dealer to look, reflect and then purchase a drawing or watercolour.

"Many were acquired from well-known New Bond Street art galleries such as Colnaghi’s, John Baskett and Richard Day.

"The Beales lived close to the Thames at Chelsea while Bill worked in the Foreign Office in the 1960s and 70s but later life moved to Oxfordshire.

"In the 1990s the collection was placed on loan to the Ashmolean."

The auction for the 'Old Master Drawings' will be held on Wednesday at the city centre's Bocardo House.