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

# Bill Ainslie (1934–1989)

## What is Bill Ainslie’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 14 auction results for Bill Ainslie at 2 houses since 2015. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,152 including buyer’s premium (middle half $981–$4,605, n=10). The auction record is $5,227 for Amboseli No. 2 (2024, Strauss and Co). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amboseli No. 2, 1986 | Acrylic and collage on canvas | $5,227 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2024 |
| 2 | Two Boys, 1962 | Oil on board | $4,839 | Strauss and Co | Apr 2015 |
| 3 | Inyati, 1986 | Mixed media on canvas | $4,608 | Strauss and Co | Jun 2025 |
| 4 | Tsitsa I | Mixed media on canvas | $4,608 | Strauss and Co | Jun 2025 |
| 5 | Landscape, 1994 | Oil on board | $4,595 | Strauss and Co | May 2025 |
| 6 | Abstract Composition in Four Colours: Green, White, Black and Yellow | Mixed media on canvas | $3,950 | Strauss and Co | Jun 2025 |
| 7 | Washer Women, 1964 | Oil on board | $2,353 | Strauss and Co | May 2026 |
| 8 | Untitled (oil on canvas) | Oil on canvas | $1,291 | Strauss and Co | May 2026 |
| 9 | Bill Ainslie (South Africa, 1934 - 1989), Three Young Boys | Oil on board | $878 | Russell Kaplan Auctioneers | Sep 2025 |
| 10 | HRLM I, Zimbabwe, 1970 | Mixed media with newspaper on paper | $297 | Strauss and Co | Jun 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 8 | $4,602 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $4,602 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 14 results from 2 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Bill Ainslie is a South African artist with 23 auction lots recorded since 2010, median price $4,595.

A work by Bill Ainslie sold in 2025 for $4,608, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Bill Ainslie work worth?

Across 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bill Ainslie work is $4,595.

The median Bill Ainslie painting sells for $4,602 across 8 lots.

The median Bill Ainslie work on paper sells for $297 across 2 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $4,602 | $5,227 | 88.9% | 2026-05-26 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $297 | $297 | — | 2026-06-17 |

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $4,111–$4,608 | $4,602 | $5,227 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2024 | $5,227 |
| Paintings | 2015 | $4,839 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $297 |

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 Bill Ainslie worth?

Across 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bill Ainslie work is $4,595. The median Bill Ainslie painting sells for $4,602 across 8 lots. The median Bill Ainslie work on paper sells for $297 across 2 lots.

### What is Bill Ainslie's auction record?

Bill Ainslie's auction record is $5,227, set in 2024.

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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, “Bill Ainslie auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bill-ainslie (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.