IT LOOKS like Russell Crowe managed to earn more than $3.7 million from the sale of his memorabilia at an auction in Sydney.

The Oscar-winning actor made an appearance at the eclectic auction where costumes and props from his movies fetched extraordinary amounts.

Crowe, who turned 54 on Saturday, was parting with artwork, sports memorabilia and jewellery following his divorce from Danielle Spencer.

In a tweet afterwards he appeared to confirm he had sold $3.7 million worth of items "at the coalface", with negotiations for a further $350,000 continuing. He also had a "bunch of stuff I didn't really want to sell coming home".

"Not a bad hourly rate for a 5 hour shift," he wrote.

The actor arrived at the auction, held in the inner-Sydney Carriageworks building, about 7pm after a rendition of Happy Birthday.

"It's been a lot of fun putting it together for you," he told the crowd. Crowe watched the sale of an item he described as "very dear to my heart" - a violin by Leandro Bisiach Sr he used as the character Captain Jack Aubrey in the 2003 film Master and Commander.

The instrument is dated 1890.

"In the tradition of classical instruments ... if somebody were to purchase it they might want to lend it to a young musician so it carries on and starts to play in the concert halls around the world," Crowe said.

Australian Youth Orchestra musician Bridget O'Donnell performed pieces from Master and Commander for guests and Crowe suggested she may be the lucky young artist to be given the instrument.

The violin was sold for $135,000 which, with a 22 per cent commission, means the new owner will need to part with $164,700.

Some of the most remarkable bids were placed for costume and prop items from the 2000 film Gladiator, including a stunt cuirass worn by Crowe when his character Maximus died.

An online bidder bought the armour for $125,000 after it was expected to fetch between $20,000 and $30,000.

A replica Roman chariot was sold for $65,000, while two life-size prop horses used in the film were also up for grabs.

"Look at that, something for everyone," auctioneer Martin Gallon quipped. The horses brought $5500 each, while a pair of black leather wrist cuffs was snatched for $32,000.

One bidder won a wooden training sword with a bid of $20,000 and an aluminium prop sword and spare blade went for $70,000.

The event attracted a colourful mix of clients that were as varied as the items up for grabs - some wearing ball gowns, others sporting beanies. The actor will also part with numerous artworks, sporting memorabilia, musical instruments, 28 watches and 19 varieties of diamond jewellery. A leather jockstrap worn by Crowe in the 2005 movie Cinderella Man was won by a telephone bidder for $7000.

There are almost 230 items being sold.

THE ECLECTIC AUCTION OF RUSSELL CROWE

The Oscar-winning actor parted with about 230 items ranging from artwork, jewellery and sports memorabilia to movie props and costumes following his divorce from Danielle Spencer. Here are some of the highest winning bids.

* Charles Blackman artwork "The Suitor" (1960) - $360,000

* The 1986 Grammy Award presented to Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Sam Phillips, Rick Nelson and Chips Moman - $150,000

* 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 for the character Javert during the performance of the song Stars in the 2012 film Les Miserables - $16,000

* Blue wool vest for the character 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 worn by Crowe in the 2005 movie Cinderella Man - $7000.

* Two life-size prop horses from Gladiator - $5,500 each.

(Winning bids also attract a 22 per cent commission)