Cecil Skotnes (1926–2026)
What is Cecil Skotnes’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 329 auction results for Cecil Skotnes at 11 houses since 2009. Over the last 24 months the median price was $402 including buyer’s premium (middle half $238–$3,597, n=87). The auction record is $43,825 for Shaka Zulu (2019, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaka Zulu, 1926 | Painting | $43,825 | Bonhams | May 2019 |
| 2 | Three Figural Compositions, 1981 | Pencil and oil on board | $39,652 | Strauss and Co | Sep 2009 |
| 3 | Shaka Zulu, 1926 | Painting | $39,609 | Bonhams | Mar 2025 |
| 4 | Ancestral Figures | Carved and painted wood | $37,500 | Sotheby's | Oct 2010 |
| 5 | Lovers, 1926 | Painting | $35,095 | Bonhams | Mar 2021 |
| 6 | Ancestral Father | Painted, carved and incised wood panel on a bronze plate | $34,687 | Strauss and Co | Apr 2025 |
| 7 | Saul and David, 1926 | Painting | $32,483 | Bonhams | Oct 2025 |
| 8 | U Shaka, 1970 | Carved, painted and incised wood panel | $28,811 | Strauss and Co | Feb 2026 |
| 9 | Head and Reclining Woman | Carved and painted wood panel (double-sided) | $25,000 | Sotheby's | Oct 2010 |
| 10 | Brandberg Mountains | Oil on board | $23,092 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 7 | $15,633 |
| Paintings | 34 | $12,155 |
| Other | 22 | $1,984 |
| Prints | 71 | $312 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $16,632 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 46 | $2,042 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 34 | $744 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 329 results from 11 houses · How we compute these figures
Cecil Skotnes is a South African artist with 353 auction lots recorded since 2009, median price $1,316. 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 Cecil Skotnes sold in 2026 for $15,633, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Cecil Skotnes work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Cecil Skotnes free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Cecil Skotnes record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Cecil Skotnes on OpeningBid →What is a Cecil Skotnes work worth?
Across 299 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cecil Skotnes work is $1,316.
The median Cecil Skotnes print sells for $517 across 168 lots.
The median Cecil Skotnes sculpture sells for $15,324 across 45 lots.
The median Cecil Skotnes painting sells for $10,710 across 22 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Cecil Skotnes prints typically sell for $268–$1,944 (the middle half of 27 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Cecil Skotnes prints typically sell for $271–$820 (the middle half of 26 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 | 168 | $517† | $5,501 | — | 2026-06-17 |
| Paintings | 24 | $10,710† | $43,825 | 91.7% | 2026-06-23 |
| Works on Paper | 17 | $868† | $1,250 | 94.1% | 2026-06-17 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 46 | $15,324† | $37,500 | 97.8% | 2026-07-21 |
| Photography | 1 | — | — | — | 2016-09-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $36,298 | $43,825 | — | 2026-02-21 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Cecil Skotnes's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (168 lots) median $517. Paintings (24 lots) median $10,710, record $43,825. A typical Cecil Skotnes painting sells for around 21× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 8 lots) the median is $36,298.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 26 | $271–$820† | $395† | $4,525 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 27 | $268–$1,944† | $853† | $5,501 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $3,323–$6,585 | $4,367 | $39,652 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $8,385–$12,973 | $10,710 | $35,095 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $9,603–$34,265† | $22,224† | $43,825 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $843–$1,138† | $997† | $1,817 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $2,361–$5,875† | $4,227† | $19,804 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $10,126–$22,679 | $15,324 | $37,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $14,780–$17,790 | $16,314 | $19,651 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2019 | $43,825 |
| Paintings | 2009 | $39,652 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2010 | $37,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $28,811 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $5,501 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $4,525 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $3,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $1,817 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Cecil Skotnes worth?
Across 299 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cecil Skotnes work is $1,316. The median Cecil Skotnes print sells for $517 across 168 lots. The median Cecil Skotnes sculpture sells for $15,324 across 45 lots. The median Cecil Skotnes painting sells for $10,710 across 22 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Cecil Skotnes prints typically sell for $268–$1,944 (the middle half of 27 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Cecil Skotnes prints typically sell for $271–$820 (the middle half of 26 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 Cecil Skotnes print?
Based on 168 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cecil Skotnes print is $517. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Cecil Skotnes's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Cecil Skotnes print is $5,501.
What is the average price of a Cecil Skotnes sculpture?
Based on 45 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cecil Skotnes sculpture is $15,324. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Cecil Skotnes's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Cecil Skotnes sculpture is $37,500.
What is the average price of a Cecil Skotnes painting?
Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cecil Skotnes painting is $10,710. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Cecil Skotnes's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Cecil Skotnes painting is $43,825.
What is the average price of a medium Cecil Skotnes print?
Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Cecil Skotnes print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $853, 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 small Cecil Skotnes print?
Based on 26 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Cecil Skotnes print (small (under 50 cm)) is $395, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Cecil Skotnes's auction record?
Cecil Skotnes's auction record is $43,825, set in 2019.
See the full Cecil Skotnes record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Cecil Skotnes on OpeningBid →