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

# Val Bertoia (b. 1949)

## What is Val Bertoia’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 156 auction results for Val Bertoia at 12 houses since 2011. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,375 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,224–$7,520, n=14). The auction record is $35,000 for untitled (Hydrangia B-952) (2014, Wright). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | untitled (Hydrangia B-952), 1995 | Bronze | $35,000 | Wright | Mar 2014 |
| 2 | Stands Tall for Sounds from All ..., 1949 | Copper | $33,750 | Toomey & Co. | Aug 2021 |
| 3 | This Sound Is Left Right in Your Mind, B-2473, 2021 | Copper | $23,750 | Toomey & Co. | Dec 2021 |
| 4 | Exceptional Sonambient sculpture, 1949 | Copper | $21,250 | Rago Arts | Jan 2019 |
| 5 | Sounding Sculpture (B1361), 2007 | Copper | $21,120 | Wright | Aug 2025 |
| 6 | Sonambient sculpture, 1949 | Copper | $18,750 | Rago Arts | Jan 2018 |
| 7 | Celebrating 69 Years with Bronze Fireworks, 2018 | Bronze | $18,200 | Rago Arts | May 2022 |
| 8 | Gentle Curve of Sound, 2014 | Bronze | $17,500 | Rago Arts | Jan 2022 |
| 9 | Massive Sonambient, 1949 | Not explicitly stated | $17,500 | Rago Arts | Sep 2017 |
| 10 | (B-2405), 2020 | Copper | $16,250 | Rago Arts | Mar 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 102 | $6,375 |
| Other | 8 | $2,775 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 40 | $8,519 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 43 | $5,625 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $4,375 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 156 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Val Bertoia is an American artist with 203 auction lots recorded since 2011, median price $4,782. 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 Val Bertoia sold in 2026 for $7,680, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Val Bertoia work worth?

Across 154 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Val Bertoia work is $4,782.

The median Val Bertoia sculpture sells for $5,938 across 108 lots.

The median Val Bertoia print sells for $750 across 2 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Val Bertoia sculptures typically sell for $3,175–$7,545 (the middle half of 48 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) Val Bertoia sculptures typically sell for $6,250–$11,875 (the middle half of 35 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 | 2 | $750† | $1,000† | — | 2024-08-24 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 124 | $5,938† | $35,000 | 87.1% | 2026-09-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 9 | $21,120 | $35,000 | — | 2025-08-07 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $2,000–$7,500† | $3,750† | $35,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 48 | $3,175–$7,545† | $3,982† | $18,750 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 35 | $6,250–$11,875† | $7,500† | $33,750 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $35,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $33,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $1,000† |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $500† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Val Bertoia worth?

Across 154 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Val Bertoia work is $4,782. The median Val Bertoia sculpture sells for $5,938 across 108 lots. The median Val Bertoia print sells for $750 across 2 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Val Bertoia sculptures typically sell for $3,175–$7,545 (the middle half of 48 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Val Bertoia sculptures typically sell for $6,250–$11,875 (the middle half of 35 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 Val Bertoia sculpture?

Based on 108 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Val Bertoia sculpture is $5,938. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Val Bertoia's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Val Bertoia sculpture is $35,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Val Bertoia sculpture?

Based on 48 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Val Bertoia sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,982, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a large Val Bertoia sculpture?

Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Val Bertoia sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $7,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Val Bertoia's auction record?

Val Bertoia's auction record is $35,000, set in 2014.

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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, “Val Bertoia auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bulging (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.