Hundreds of years of Welsh heritage went under the hammer during the two-day event, raising a total of �1,184,000.

A total of 800 lots went on sale at the Orangery in Margam Park, near Port Talbot, including paintings, porcelain and furniture dating back to the Middle Ages.

The majority of items were gathered by Sotheby's dealers during a series of public valuation days held all over Wales over the past year.

The Auctioneers said there was strong bidding in all sections, with particular interest in items connected to historical figures, Welsh porcelain and paintings.

Among the highlights was a walnut table - designed by William Burges for Cardiff Castle in 1875, which sold for �58,700 - almost twice the estimate.

It was one of many pieces commissioned by the Marquess of Bute, who initiated the 60-year building programme at Cardiff Castle.

This 18th Century portrait was sold for �16,100

A fine Swansea dessert service comprising 29 pieces, which dated from 1814-1823, fetched �23,700.

Lovespoons were very popular - two large examples from the 19th Century were sold for �3,680 and �3,910 respectively.

There was disappointment when a silver-fitted leather dressing case presented by David Lloyd George to his daughter Lady Olwen Carey Evans in 1917 failed to reach its reserve price.

Sale specialist Jeremy Rye said the success "confirms Sotheby's faith in staging a Welsh sale for Welsh buyers."

A portrait of the 18th Century harpist Griffith Owen by Ben Marshall was among several items bought by the National Museum and the National Library of Wales.