> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/archibald-thorburn · updated 2026-11-02

# Archibald Thorburn (1860–1935)

## What is Archibald Thorburn’s work worth? {#value}

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.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | 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 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 5 | $48,518 |
| Other | 70 | $15,645 |
| Works on paper | 257 | $11,110 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

- [Archibald Thorburn on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/archibald-thorburn?ref=kg:archibald-thorburn) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Archibald Thorburn auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/archibald-thorburn (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.