London, October 21 A sketch by Raphael created in 1508 could fetch up to 16 million pounds at an auction in December.

The foot-high 'Head of a Muse' was made as a working draft for Raphael's famous fresco Parnassus.

It has been put on display by Christie's at its St James' showroom in London and was said to have come to auction for the first times in 150 years.

"Raphael is one of the greatest masters of all time and, on top of that, it is a study for one of his most famous paintings," the Telegraph quoted Benjamin Peronnet, head of Old Master drawings at Christie's, as saying.

"It is a perfect illustration of Raphael's art - classicist simplicity and incredible beauty," Peronnet added.

Other highlights at Christie's Old Masters and 19th Century Art Evening Sale on December 8 include the Rembrandt painting 'Portrait of a Man' expected to sell between 18 and 25 million pounds, and a Baroque painting, Saint John the Evangelist by Domenico Zampieri, estimated to cost bidders between 7 to 10 million pounds. (ANI)