Bowie art sale smashes expectations

Buyers have snapped up modern artworks collected by David Bowie at a London auction, with a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat selling for more than STG7 million ($A12 million).

The first part of Sotheby's two-part Bowie sale netted STG24.3 million, more than double its pre-sale estimate.

The musician, who died in January aged 69, was a passionate collector of modern art.

The top lot, Basquiat's Air Power, sold for STG7.1 million.

Frank Auerbach's painting Head of Gerda Boehm sold for STG3.8 million, 10 times its estimate and a record for the artist.

Sotheby's said Thursday's auction was a "white glove sale", meaning every lot was sold.

Bids came from 47 countries.

More of Bowie's collection is due to be auctioned on Friday.