An experimental sale of new works by Damien Hirst at Sotheby’s auction house on Monday night surpassed expectations when it raised more than £70m ($125m), above its high estimate of £62m.

Buyers appeared unfazed by fears over the global banking system as they spent freely. The top lot was “The Golden Calf”, a 600kg bullock whose hooves and horns are cast in solid 18-carat gold, which sold for £10.3m, a record for the artist at auction.