novelist , who died in 2014 aged 90 , amassed a spectacular collection of greek , egyptian and roman jewellery during her lifetime , among them pieces up to 3,500 years old .
now the collection is to go under the hammer , with auctioneers saying they expect the exquisite pieces to fetch up to £ 20,000 .
` unlike many collectors who prefer to display their treasures , elizabeth jane howard held the view that jewellery was made to be used .