Celebrated artist Damien Hirst has smashed art auction records in London by selling off a collection of works for $168 million (£90.8 million).

A pickled shark 'art piece' and an embalmed calf with golden hooves sold for $17 million (£9.2 million) and $18.5 million (£10 million) respectively at the Sotheby's sale, which started on Tuesday (16Sep08).

With more items to go under the hammer, the controversial Brit has already scored the record for an auction of works by a single artist. That record was held by Pablo Picasso.

In total, there are 223 lots, with more than 80 still to go under the hammer.

The big surprise so far was the sale of glass and steel work Fragments of Paradise, which sold for over $9 million (£4.86 million) - five times more than estimated expectations. (c) WENN