An auction of the contents of pop star Sir Elton John's London home has raised more than £1.4
million.
The total far exceeded expectations and the singer was said to be "delighted".
An oil painting, entitled Madison Square Park, was the highest selling lot, going to a London dealer for £67,200.
Sir Elton sold off the items so that he can redecorate his home in a more modern style.
The second most expensive item sold was a 19th Century portrait of Lieutenant George Dyer, painted by James Northcote in 1817, which fetched £55,200.
Of the more personal items up for grabs at Sotheby's in London, was the star's satin birchwood and rosewood bed which fetched £3,600.
Serious bidders
The furnishings, which included many items by furniture maker Biedermeier, were part of a collection built up since the early 1990s.
Sir Elton's house, in Holland Park, has played host to actor Kevin Spacey and former US President Bill Clinton.
"
Elton's taste proved to have extraordinary wide appeal with enthusiastic
buyers from around the world
"
Marcus Linell
Sotheby's
Music fans mingled with serious bidders in the hope of snapping up a piece of Elton memorabilia.
Many of the items fetched more than was anticipated with one big-spender paying £31,200 for an enamel miniature of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, which had been expected to sell for £5,000 to £8,000.
A 16th Century portrait of Elizabeth Honeywood from the Circle of William Larkin, which was expected to fetch £30,000 to £40,000 but went for £54,000.
Royal connection
A star attraction was a bedroom suite designed by royal furniture maker David Linley, which sold for £19,200.
Another buyer picked up three wooden photo frames also crafted by the Queen's nephew for £540.
Among the more popular lots were some of the star's vast collection of gold discs, including his double platinum award for the Oscar-winning soundtrack to The Lion King.
Sotheby's specialist Marcus Linell said: "This wasn't a sale of memorabilia but Elton's taste proved to have extraordinary wide appeal with enthusiastic buyers from around the world."
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