Christie's contemporary and post-war sale has achieved the highest one-night total of New York's autumn auctions, led by a record-smashing Roy Lichtenstein which soared to $42.6 million.

The auction, dominated by US buying, met expectations as the season's biggest for Christie's and rival Sotheby's, taking in a total of $272,873,000 including commission or well within the pre-sale estimate range.

Four works sold for more than $12 million, and 11 artists set new records.

It was a fitting end to a series of impressive results at the two powerhouses, as well as distant-third Phillips de Pury, which together moved more than $1 billion worth of Impressionist, modern and post-war art during a period of continued economic uncertainty.

"It certainly felt like the art market came roaring back and there was tremendous demands for great works of art of all kinds," said Amy Cappellazzo, Christie's co-head of contemporary and post-war art. And I think we can confidently say that the art market is with us."

Lichtenstein's "Ohhh...Alright," being sold by Las Vegas magnate Steve Wynn, was the runaway highlight, fetching $42,642,500 and more than doubling the pop artist's record of $16,256,000.

On Monday Phillips sold a multi-image depiction of Elizabeth Taylor by Andy Warhol for an astounding $63.4 million.