Pharmacy Restauranat sells its wares

More than 150 pieces displayed at the groundbreaking, trend-making London restaurant "Pharmacy" opened by artist and designer Damien Hirst sold at auction at Sotherby's for $20 million this week, according to Reuters.

Hirst's collection, including-styled bar stools, towering medical cabinets, DNA-themed sculptures and molecule-inspired ashtrays, was featured in Pharmacy until the restaurant was shut in 2003.

The restaurant, which was inspired by Hirst's 1992 pharmacy installation, now in the Tate Gallery, was closed because it looked like a drugstore and people were walking in with prescriptions, according to RealEstateGate.com.

"When Pharmacy opened in 1998 it was a landmark restaurant, typifying everything that was happening in Britain at that time, in terms of art, food, celebrity, New Labour and Cool Britannia," Oliver Barker, senior director of Sotheby's contemporary art department, said.

While Hirst was upset when Pharmacy closed, he was pleased his items have found homes. "I was very disappointed when Pharmacy closed. It was like losing a friend and I didn't know what to do with with all the stuff. I think auctioning all that stuff is a great idea as that way everybody gets a chance to own a piece. I mean, I can only use so many plates and pots and pans myself," said Hirst.