Queen Victoria's underwear sold for $18,800

Reuters

BLOOMING HECK: Kate Bain from Lyon and Turnbull auctioneers poses with a framed pair of silk bloomers that once belonged to Queen Victoria that have been sold at auction for over $18,000.

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A pair of silk bloomers that belonged to Britain's Queen Victoria has sold at auction for £9375 (NZ$18,807) - three times the underwear's pre-sale estimate.

A painting of the queen with her Scottish servant John Brown sold for £145,250 (NZ$291,400) at Edinburgh auction house Lyon & Turnbull. The close relationship between monarch and servant inspired the film "Mrs. Brown."

Both items were purchased today (NZ time) by anonymous bidders.

They were among items from Old Battersea House, the London home of US publishing clan the Forbes family.

A four-poster bed Elizabeth Taylor slept in when she stayed at the house during her honeymoon with seventh husband Larry Fortensky sold for more than £9000 (NZ$18,000).

The prices include buyer's premium.

- AP