An "Aladdin's Cave" of roughly 200 pieces of incredible artwork is expected to fetch up to £50,000 when it goes on the auction block.
The prized collection had been amassed in a 180-year-old cottage in the upmarket village of Thames Ditton, Surrey, by Torquil Stewart and his late father Alastair.
Torquil, 81, has now decided to sell the items he kept in the £1.75million Eaton Cottage, which include bird taxidermy, a 17th century handwritten miniature of The Lord's Prayer and a small bronze statue of a man.
One expert says it is "one of the most amazing private collections I've ever seen".
Among the pieces - gathered over 80 years - is a pair of European Grand Tour watercolour studies of classical ruins, and Chinese panel arts.
There are also musical manuscripts, ceramics, rare tobacconist advertising figures and old master paintings.
Artist Alastair, who died aged 71 in 1979, was a member of the Royal Academy of Arts.
His family say he had "eclectic taste".
Alastair, who was the Chief of Art Restoration for the Ministry of Works, had a fascination with artwork and artefacts from historical periods.
He would would spend his leisure time hunting for antiques and in junk shops.
Torquil, who has retired from the film industry, has now left the £1.75million Eaton Cottage, and the time has come for the family to sell the collection.
The lot is going under the hammer at Hansons London auction house in Teddington, south-west London, on Saturday.
It is expected to make between £40,000 and £50,000.
Torquil's wife, Joan, said: “Both Alastair and Torquil collected absolutely anything that interested them and both collections complemented each other.
"Torquil particularly liked ceramics and objects from the Far East.
“It’s tragic that we’ve had to leave but it’s for the sake of our family.
"We have three sons and didn’t want to leave the collections for them to have to sort out. We’ve moved to the seaside.”
Chris Kirkham, associate director of Hansons London, said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I went inside Eaton Cottage - nothing could have prepared me for the wealth of treasures within.
"It’s one of the most amazing private collections I’ve ever seen.
"Every wall and all the surfaces were covered with art, books, ceramics and more.
“The cottage itself, which dates back to 1840, provided the perfect period setting to house the objects they loved.
"It was the Stewarts’ family home for 80 years.
“There was so much to see I didn’t know what to stop and admire first.
"It was a time capsule of two lifetimes of collecting, a pure definition of the term Aladdin’s Cave.
"Not only was it like entering a museum, many of the objects could well be worthy of a museum.
“I found everything from rare tobacconist advertising figures and bronze anatomical figures to old master paintings.
"But the multitude of items had one distinct thing in common – all were of great quality and chosen with an expert eye.”
He added: “It’s been an honour to handle and value this collection.
"People around the world will soon have a rare opportunity to battle at auction for hundreds of wonderful antiques, art and collectables chosen with two sets of very discerning eyes.”
Historic items found inside the cottage include:
A 16th/17th century old master oil on canvas laid down, Italian School. Estimate £3,000-£5,000.
An 18th/19th century conch shell carved with cameo of a triumphant woman surrounded by maidens with cherub above. Estimate £200-£300.
An Egyptian period wooden death mask. Estimate £300-£500.
Set one of six Chinese Qianlong period (1735 to 1796) painted panels. Estimate £200-£400.
A 19th century bronze anatomical figure. Estimate £300-£500.
A pair of 18th century Grand Tour studies, gouache on paper. Estimate £100-£200.
A 19th century American Indian carved wooden polychrome tobacco figures. Estimate £400-£800 each.
An old master study, probably of Charles I in profile, oil on panel. Depicting feast within buildings and landscaped backdrop. Estimate £300-£500.
