Stars from Alice Eve from Sex and the City 2 and Hermione Norris from Spooks and Cold Feet to TV presenters Ben Fogle and Anneka Rice supported the event which was housed in a former Victorian Post Office sorting station in Westminster.

Guests were treated to gastronomic delights from a variety of food stations, as well as Champagne and mouth-watering canapés alongside an exhibition of contemporary and modern furniture and ceramics which were auctioned off the following day.

Phillips de Pury & Company which was founded in London in 1796, is widely acknowledged as one of the three leading international auction houses and is the only major auction house to concentrate on contemporary art and culture. The company has enjoyed immense success in the global marketplace as a result of its focus.

It is universally acclaimed for the quality of its visual presentation in catalogues and pre-sale exhibitions, its creative marketing activities and the pioneering vision of its Chairman, Simon de Pury, and his team in identifying new collecting trends and setting numerous auction records. Phillips de Pury is recognised as the contemporary culture tastemaker.