Sold for �7,000, a painting from Sir Elton's drawing room hall

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 Elton's life laundry

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."