The real-life Indiana Jones who travelled the world in search of relics

Ryszard Holowenko's amazing collection of sacred treasures from around the globe to be auctioned

- NICK HORNER News Reporter

Ryszard Holowenko spent more than 50 years collecting religious icons and, main image, Ryszard in 2009 when he donated an icon of the mother and child to St Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, Coventry, pictured right

A REAL-LIFE Indiana Jones from the Midlands is to have his incredible collection put up for auction after he died on a quest in India.

Ryszard Holowenko spent more than 50 years accumulating treasures from around the world, displaying them at his home in Tamworth.

He collected religious art spanning two centuries, mainly Orthodox icons from the Greek, Ukrainian and Russian schools. Now, more than 100 items are set to go under the hammer.

The 75-year-old adventurer died in Kochi in India from suspected dengue fever last November. He was on a birthday quest for more religious artefacts from the subcontinent.