Archibald Thorburn (1860–1935)
What is Archibald Thorburn’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 441 auction results for Archibald Thorburn at 23 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,590 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,723–$10,906, n=42). The auction record is $321,018 for Grouse in flight (2010, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grouse in flight, 1860 | Drawing | $321,018 | Christie's | Jun 2010 |
| 2 | The covey at daybreak - Partridges, 1860 | Watercolour | $306,378 | Bonhams | Jan 2011 |
| 3 | Blackcock and Grouse in flight - Winter, 1860 | Watercolour | $300,608 | Bonhams | Jul 2012 |
| 4 | A covey of red grouse by a spring, 1860 | Pencil | $267,549 | Christie's | Dec 2017 |
| 5 | Blackgame in the glen, 1860 | Pencil | $234,105 | Christie's | Dec 2017 |
| 6 | 'The eagle's stoop': a golden eagle snatching a ptarmigan, 1860 | Pencil | $175,579 | Christie's | Dec 2017 |
| 7 | A frosty dawn, 1860 | Pencil | $158,857 | Christie's | Dec 2017 |
| 8 | Blackgame, 1860 | Watercolour | $153,773 | Bonhams | Sep 2021 |
| 9 | Blackgame in snow, evening, 1907 | Pencil and watercolour heightened with bodycolour and gum arabic on paper laid on board | $150,496 | Christie's | Dec 2017 |
| 10 | Pheasant in the snow, 1860 | Pencil | $149,760 | Christie's | Dec 2018 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 5 | $48,518 |
| Other | 70 | $15,645 |
| Works on paper | 257 | $11,110 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 84 | $51,838 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 221 | $8,475 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 441 results from 23 houses · How we compute these figures
Archibald Thorburn is a British (modern) artist with 477 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $9,978. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Archibald Thorburn sold in 2026 for $11,896, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Archibald Thorburn work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Archibald Thorburn free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Archibald Thorburn record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Archibald Thorburn on OpeningBid →What is a Archibald Thorburn work worth?
Across 397 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Archibald Thorburn work is $9,978.
The median Archibald Thorburn work on paper sells for $9,978 across 257 lots.
The median Archibald Thorburn painting sells for $13,894 across 100 lots.
The median Archibald Thorburn print sells for $120 across 42 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Archibald Thorburn work on papers typically sell for $2,425–$14,214 (the middle half of 177 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Archibald Thorburn paintings typically sell for $5,387–$16,110 (the middle half of 73 sold lots).
Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 54 | $120†‡ | $2,675 | 77.8% | 2026-09-06 |
| Paintings | 114 | $13,894‡ | $306,378 | 87.7% | 2025-07-03 |
| Works on Paper | 292 | $9,978†‡ | $321,018 | 88% | 2026-09-23 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $518 | $518 | — | 2024-01-15 |
| Photography | 3 | $598‡ | $1,003 | — | 2021-06-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 22 | $137,309 | $321,018 | — | 2022-03-30 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Archibald Thorburn's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (54 lots) median $120 with 77.8% sell-through. Paintings (114 lots) median $13,894, record $306,378. A typical Archibald Thorburn painting sells for around 116× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 22 lots) the median is $137,309.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 27 | $87–$183†‡ | $138†‡ | $2,675 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $78–$182†‡ | $110†‡ | $502‡ |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 73 | $5,387–$16,110‡ | $11,271‡ | $99,007 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 26 | $23,354–$68,792 | $48,087 | $306,378 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 177 | $2,425–$14,214†‡ | $5,802†‡ | $76,920 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 72 | $12,459–$91,970†‡ | $43,799†‡ | $267,549 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $321,018 |
| Paintings | 2011 | $306,378 |
| Paintings | 2012 | $300,608 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $267,549 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $2,675 |
| Photography | 2017 | $1,003 |
| Photography | 2006 | $598‡ |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $518 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Archibald Thorburn worth?
Across 397 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Archibald Thorburn work is $9,978. The median Archibald Thorburn work on paper sells for $9,978 across 257 lots. The median Archibald Thorburn painting sells for $13,894 across 100 lots. The median Archibald Thorburn print sells for $120 across 42 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Archibald Thorburn work on papers typically sell for $2,425–$14,214 (the middle half of 177 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Archibald Thorburn paintings typically sell for $5,387–$16,110 (the middle half of 73 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a Archibald Thorburn work on paper?
Based on 257 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Archibald Thorburn work on paper is $9,978. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Archibald Thorburn's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Archibald Thorburn work on paper is $321,018.
What is the average price of a Archibald Thorburn painting?
Based on 100 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Archibald Thorburn painting is $13,894. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Archibald Thorburn's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Archibald Thorburn painting is $306,378.
What is the average price of a Archibald Thorburn print?
Based on 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Archibald Thorburn print is $120. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Archibald Thorburn's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Archibald Thorburn print is $2,675.
What is the average price of a small Archibald Thorburn work on paper?
Based on 177 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Archibald Thorburn work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $5,802, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a small Archibald Thorburn painting?
Based on 73 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Archibald Thorburn painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $11,271, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Archibald Thorburn's auction record?
Archibald Thorburn's auction record is $321,018, set in 2010.
See the full Archibald Thorburn record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Archibald Thorburn on OpeningBid →