Painter Jack Vettriano has been personally previewing the sale of some of his possessions, including his first easel at which his early works were painted.

The sale later this week of the Fife-born artist's effects, which include furniture and a fine bust of Plato, is estimated to make about £22,000. The easel is estimated at £800 to £1,200.

Studies of two Vettriano paintings will also be offered for sale. The study for The Remains of Love is estimated at £8,000 to £12,000 and that for An Unexpected Guest at £10,000 to £15,000.

Bonhams head of furniture in Scotland Bruce Addison said: "The star of the show is the Winsor and Newton easel that Jack Vettriano used in the early days of his career and has kept for over 40 years.

"For the many fans of his work this would be a prized possession."

A retrospective of Vettriano's work became the most visited art exhibition at one of Scotland's leading museums earlier this year.

More than 120,300 people visited the exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow between September last year and February this year.

The 62-year-old self-taught artist, who was born in St Andrews, did not take up painting full-time until the age of 40.

His work has since featured in exhibitions in Edinburgh, London and New York. He was made an OBE in 2003.

One of his most famous paintings, The Singing Butler, sold for more than £744,000 in 2004 and is one of the best-selling posters in Britain.

The sale takes place at Bonhams Edinburgh on May 22.