Russell Crowe has sold some of his prized possessions – what he calls his “stuff”, including film props, costumes, Australian art and jewellery – at his so-called ‘divorce auction’ in Sydney on Saturday.

And did bidders go wild, even forking out $7000 for the tempestuous star’s jock strap from the film Cinderella Man.

The 53-year-old actor certainly lent the shimmer of his celebrity to the Saturday night event by raising a cocktail toast in a bevelled glass on the cover of the Sotheby’s Australia catalogue .

He dubbed his megabucks garage sale ‘The Art of Divorce’ after finalising his split from former wife Danielle Spencer.

The catalogue duly notes the auction date coincides with two other important dates in Crowe’s life: “A date of particular significance as both the actor’s birthday and wedding anniversary”.

And the auction of some 227 items has given him further reason to recall the day as a red-letter day. Here are what just a few of the items fetched:

Violin by Leandro Bisiach Sr (1864-1946) used by Crowe as the character Captain Jack Aubrey in the film Master and Commander (2003), dated 1890 – $135,000.

Stunt cuirass worn by Crowe when his character Maximus died in the 2000 film Gladiator – $125,000.

Costume for the character Captain Jack Aubrey from Master and Commander (2003) – $115,000.

Replica Roman chariot from Gladiator – $65,000.

Mounted Mosasaur skull, late Cretaceous period – $65,000.

Pair of black leather wrist cuffs from Gladiator – $32,000.

Templar tunic and chain mail from the film Robin Hood (2010) – $16,000

The costume worn when playing Javert during the performance of the song Stars in the 2012 film Les Miserables – $16,000

Blue wool vest worn by Javert in Les Miserables – $12,000

Brown leather hood from Robin Hood – $11,000

Leather pair of Dr Martens boots from the movie Romper Stomper (1992) – $10,000.

Leather jockstrap in the 2005 boxing flick Cinderella Man – $7000.

Two life-sized prop horses from Gladiator – $5,500 each.

But there were also items for more serious collectors, with Crowe selling a collection of 20th century Australian art that included works by Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and Charles Blackman. For sports fans there was a bronze sculpture of cricketer Sir Donald Bradman.

Sotheby’s Australia described the 6pm sale at the Carriageworks Art Institute as a “highly personal collection” assembled by Crowe and his former wife over many years.

Actor Russell Crowe's Roman chariot from the 2000 movie, Gladiator. Photo: AAP One of actor Russell Crowe's motorcycles at his Sydney auction. Photo: AAP A bronze-cast sculpture of cricketer Sir Donald Bradman at Russell Crowe's divorce auction. Photo: AAP A collection of vintage guitars at Russell Crowe's divorce auction. Photo: AAP A stunt cuirass worn by Russell Crowe in the movie Gladiator is estimated between $20,000 to $30,000. Photo: AAP

Promoting his glorified garage sale on Channel 10’s The Project, Crowe said he “didn’t have to” sell the items because of the divorce, but it was something he “wanted to do” as a collector of many things.

“I don’t really need that much stuff,” Crowe told the program. “I thought I did, but I don’t,” before offering a tour of his personal collection.

Among items he admitted he struggled to part with, Crowe pointed to the concert violin, made in Milan in 1890, he used in duets with his friend, ship’s surgeon Stephen Maturin, in Master and Commander.

“It’s been sitting in my office since 2002 when I finished the film, gathering dust and staring at me accusingly because I always thought I would keep playing,” Crowe said.

The Australian actor also pointed to a prehistoric Mosasaur skull, purchased from fellow Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio after a night of “way too much vodka” at DiCaprio’s house.

“For some reason early in the morning, a cheque was written and I was so gleeful to take a dinosaur … skull home to my children,” he said, raising his hands in feigned disbelief.

Actors and musicians were among interested buyers, including singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran, who intended to bid on the sword Crowe used to fight a tiger in a scene from Gladiator. It is not known if Sheeran was the successful bidder for that item.

The auction followed Crowe finalising his divorce in December last year after nine years of marriage. The couple have two sons, Charles, 14, and Tennyson, 10.

After news of their split surface in 2015, Crowe told The Sunday Times he wouldn’t rule out a reconciliation with Danielle.

“Once I commit to something, I stick with it, so you never know…I’ve loved Danielle Spencer since 1989; that’s never going to change,” he said at the time.

Filming for an upcoming movie about Australian anti-hero Ned Kelly, starring Crowe, is reportedly underway in regional Victoria.