Russell Crowe unveils a rare Gibson 'Sunburst' electric guitar and the Master and Commander violin worth $140,000 as some of the first items up for sale in his $3.6million divorce auction

By Daily Mail Australia Reporter

Published: 10:04 EDT, 19 March 2018 | Updated: 10:46 EDT, 19 March 2018

He's putting dozens of much-loved items under the hammer next month as the final stages of settling his divorce from former wife Danielle Spencer gets under way. 

And Russell Crowe has teased the first items up for grabs from his $3.6million divorce auction via his Instagram on Monday - including a $140,000 violin used in his film Master and Commander. 

Listed on auction site Sotheby's Australia, the 53-year-old actor unveiled a Gibson ES-150 'Sunburst' electric guitar - estimated to sell for $2,500 - $3,500.  

Treasured: Russell Crowe unveils a rare Gibson 'Sunburst' electric guitar and the Master and Commander violin worth $140,000 as some of the first items up for sale on the divorce auction

Treasured: Russell Crowe unveils a rare Gibson 'Sunburst' electric guitar and the Master and Commander violin worth $140,000 as some of the first items up for sale on the divorce auction

In the video, titled 'Episode One', PB Berton rocked out to short melody on the prized guitar.

Chatting through the intricacies of the instrument, the musician declared: 'It sounds incredible, this pickup on this whole guitar, I've got to say I'm in love with it'.

Last week, the Gladiator actor showed off his 1890 violin by Leandro Bisiach Snr, which he played as part of a duet in the film Master and Commander.

Happier times: Russell is putting dozens of much-loved items under the hammer next month as the final stages of settling his divorce from former wife Danielle Spencer gets under way

Happier times: Russell is putting dozens of much-loved items under the hammer next month as the final stages of settling his divorce from former wife Danielle Spencer gets under way

Melodic: Chatting through the intricacies of the instrument, PB Berton declared: 'It sounds incredible, this pickup on this whole guitar, I've got to say I'm in love with it'

Melodic: Chatting through the intricacies of the instrument, PB Berton declared: 'It sounds incredible, this pickup on this whole guitar, I've got to say I'm in love with it'

High price: Listed on auction site Sotheby's Australia, the 53-year-old actor unveiled a Gibson ES-150 'Sunburst' electric guitar - estimated to sell for $2,500 - $3,500

High price: Listed on auction site Sotheby's Australia, the 53-year-old actor unveiled a Gibson ES-150 'Sunburst' electric guitar - estimated to sell for $2,500 - $3,500

The antique piece has an estimated bidding price of $110,000 - $140,000, and on the auction site, Russell reminisced about using the instrument during the making of the 2003 nautical film. 

Russell commented: 'At the beginning of the Master & Commander shoot in Rosarito, Mexico, the props department handed me a dark and heavy German violin to use in the movie. 

'It was my thought that the Captain (Jack Aubrey), as gruff as he may be, would play a finer instrument.

Iconic: Last week, the Gladiator actor showed off his 1890 violin by Leandro Bisiach Snr, which he played as part of a duet in the film Master and Commander

Iconic: Last week, the Gladiator actor showed off his 1890 violin by Leandro Bisiach Snr, which he played as part of a duet in the film Master and Commander

A $60,000 life-sized statue of Don Bradman, a $40,000 dinosaur skull and a 300-year-old military cannon: The extravagant (and bizarre) items up for sale at Russell Crowe's $3.6million divorce auction 

A $60,000 life-sized statue of Don Bradman, a $40,000 dinosaur skull and a 300-year-old military cannon: The extravagant (and bizarre) items up for sale at Russell Crowe's $3.6million divorce auction 

'I had my friend, Richard Tognetti and my violin teacher, Robert Greene, try to track down something more suitable. They found me this beautiful Leandro Bisiach'.'     

Russell is in the final stages of settling his divorce and as part of the process, the Robin Hood star is selling 224 of his prized possessions at auction next month in a sale worth $3.6million.

Among the other items listed is a life-sized horse prop, $60,000 bronze statue of Don Bradman and 300-year-old cannon worth $6,000. 

Russell Crowe is in the final stages of settling his divorce from former wife Danielle Spencer, who he parted ways with in 2012 

Russell Crowe is in the final stages of settling his divorce from former wife Danielle Spencer, who he parted ways with in 2012 

The auction, titled Russell Crowe: The Art of Divorce, features both personal items collected by the actor and objects saved from movie sets.

To start things off, Russell is selling two lifelike horse props used in the 2000 movie Gladiator for $4,000 each.

There is also memorabilia from Romper Stomper, The Silver Brumby, The Sum of Us, L.A. Confidential, The Water Diviner, Gladiator and Cinderella Man.

That's different! To start things off, Russell is selling two lifelike horse props used in the 2000 movie Gladiator for $4,000 each

That's different! To start things off, Russell is selling two lifelike horse props used in the 2000 movie Gladiator for $4,000 each

Who needs a car?A $10,000 'fully functioning' Roman chariot from Gladiator is also listed 

Who needs a car?A $10,000 'fully functioning' Roman chariot from Gladiator is also listed 

A memento that's also practical: A $600 leather cup worn by boxers to protect their privates in Cinderella Man is up for sale

A memento that's also practical: A $600 leather cup worn by boxers to protect their privates in Cinderella Man is up for sale

Some of the stranger items Russell has kept from film sets include seat backs featuring his name worth $600, a $10,000 'fully functioning' Roman chariot from Gladiator, a $600 leather cup worn by boxers to protect their privates in Cinderella Man, and $15,000 boots worn in Romper Stomper. 

A fan of cricketer Don Bradman, the Hollywood star is auctioning off a $60,000 life-sized bronze statue, a $1,000 signed print, a $600 miniature figure and $4,000 worth of bats used by the famous sportsman.

He is also selling an art collection featuring big names such as Sidney Nolan, Brett Whiteley and Norman Lindsay.

An extensive accessory collector, Russell's 27 watches totalling $324,500 and 19 pieces of fine jewellery worth up to $389,400 are up for sale.

Likes cricket: A fan of sportsman Don Bradman, the Hollywood star is auctioning off a $60,000 life-sized bronze statue

Likes cricket: A fan of sportsman Don Bradman, the Hollywood star is auctioning off a $60,000 life-sized bronze statue

Going for $50,000: He is also auctioning off an art collection featuring big names such as Sidney Nolan (pictured)

Going for $50,000: He is also auctioning off an art collection featuring big names such as Sidney Nolan (pictured)

Extensive collection: One of the 19 pieces of fine jewellery available includes this five carat diamond ring worth $100,000

Extensive collection: One of the 19 pieces of fine jewellery available includes this five carat diamond ring worth $100,000

The jewellery collection, which features pieces from high-end brands Cartier and Asprey, includes items previously worn by Danielle during their marriage.  

Russell is also selling for $300,000 a 1967 Grammy won by Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison, Sam Phillips, Rick Nelson and Chips Moman. 

A $40,000 dinosaur skull from the Late Cretaceous period, which previously belonged to Leonardo DiCaprio, is also up for grabs. 

An antique: Those wanting a piece of history can purchase this 300-year-old cannon worth $6,000 

An antique: Those wanting a piece of history can purchase this 300-year-old cannon worth $6,000 

Collector item: Russell is also selling for $300,000 a 1967 Grammy won by Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison, Sam Phillips, Rick Nelson and Chips Moman

Collector item: Russell is also selling for $300,000 a 1967 Grammy won by Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison, Sam Phillips, Rick Nelson and Chips Moman

Famous past owner: A $40,000 dinosaur skull from the Late Cretaceous period, which previously belonged to Leonardo DiCaprio, is also up for grabs

Famous past owner: A $40,000 dinosaur skull from the Late Cretaceous period, which previously belonged to Leonardo DiCaprio, is also up for grabs

Russell first confirmed the sale last December, telling The Daily Telegraph the process was a cathartic way to end his relationship with Danielle.

'We've been separated over five years now, our divorce should be finalised around the time of the auction,' Russell said.

'Just as we collaborate on the upbringing of our kids, it's easy for us to work together on something like this.'   

The auction will be held in Sydney on Saturday, April 7 - the former couple's wedding anniversary and Russell's 54th birthday. 

Russell and Danielle married in 2003 but split in 2012. They share two sons Charles, 14, and Tennyson, 11. 

Souvenir: Some of the stranger items Russell has kept from film sets include seat backs featuring his name worth $600

Souvenir: Some of the stranger items Russell has kept from film sets include seat backs featuring his name worth $600

Expensive accessory: One of the 27 watches available includes this Rolex piece worth $50,000 

Expensive accessory: One of the 27 watches available includes this Rolex piece worth $50,000 

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