Rare works of art, textiles and furniture, and even around 100 lock and keys, from Wales have fetched more than �250,000 at an auction in London.

Auctioneer Kerry Taylor, originally from north Wales, was in charge of the Sotheby's Welsh and Oak Sale at London Olympia, in which 75% of the 500 lots were sold.

A Cavalier lock is among 100 fascinating key lots

The mostly highly sought after item was a painting by Sir Kyffin Williams, called Ponies, Llanfairynghornwy, which fetched �14, 687, more than double its estimate.

The painting was sold by a Welsh consignor to a Welsh buyer, Sotheby's confirmed.

A land deed signed by Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, the Ladies of Llangollen fetched �1,292, double its guide price.

The Ladies of Llangollen, as they were commonly known, scandalously 'eloped' together from Ireland in 1778.

The two were eccentrics and they dressed as men to make good their escape before setting up home at Plas Newydd, Anglesey. An Eisteddfod chair decorated with the Prince of Wales feathers reached �2,585.

No poet or bard was deemed worthy of sitting in this Eisteddfod chair

The chair was reputedly made for the event in 1907 National Eisteddfod, but the prize was not awarded as no bard or poet was deemed worthy.

The chair, which bears the inscription 'the truth against the world' is being sold by the owner's grandson.

"Looking through the buyers, you can see there was strong interest from Wales and the auction was largely made up of private bidders," said a Sotheby's spokesperson.

"I do not think we would have seen so many people attending unless it had been a themed Welsh auction."

The sale catalogue was compiled over six months from items gathered from all over the UK.

A Tudor chest will also be under the hammer at Sotheby's

Welsh museums were also reported to have joined the bidding for some of the more popular pieces.

Many pieces of fine Welsh oak are also being offered to potential bidders.

Other leading items included a James I panel back armchair, originally from north Wales, and a piece of Ewenny pottery, dating back to 1870.

A plate from the former Nantgarw factory in Cardiff, famed for its glaze, was expected to make between �2,000 to �3,000.