Having lived in Santa Barbara for many years (albeit a LONG time ago), I am familiar with Montecito. There is major league money there so it doesn't surprise me much that stuff owned by a celebrity auctioned off to people with VERY deep pockets brought in huge money. Just for snickers, get on Google Maps and take a look at the satellite photos of some of the homes in Montecito. Be prepared to stuff your eyeballs back in your head.
From what I've heard the most expensive items sold at Oprah's sale were a set of four, Louis XIV chairs for a whopping $60,000. I'd be afraid to sit on them!