A Venus statue with $5000 hopes soared to $172,000 in the first of six John Laws estate auctions, as an Australian artist’s rare Steinway piano hits the market.

A Venus statue with $5000 hopes soared to $172,000 in the first of six John Laws estate auctions, as an Australian artist’s rare Steinway piano hits the market.

Bidding was fast at three live auctions for the broadcaster’s watch collection and fine art, classic furniture, antiquities and French mantel clocks.