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

# David Bates (1838–1923)

## What is David Bates’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 138 auction results for David Bates at 38 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $540 including buyer’s premium (middle half $279–$46,100, n=36). The auction record is $229,500 for Jetty Fishing (2025, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jetty Fishing, 1952 | Painting | $229,500 | Bonhams | Nov 2025 |
| 2 | Oleander II, 1995 | Painted bronze | $215,900 | Wright | Jan 2026 |
| 3 | Oleander II, 1995 | Bronze | $215,900 | Rago Arts | Jan 2026 |
| 4 | The Round Cyprus Trail (Yellow Creek), 1986 | Oil paint | $184,150 | Christie's | Sep 2025 |
| 5 | Fall Fire, 1984 | Oil paint | $174,150 | Phillips | Feb 2026 |
| 6 | "Yellow Irises," 1999, 1999 | Oil on Masonite | $88,900 | John Moran Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |
| 7 | Zydeco II, 1952 | Polychromed bronze | $83,050 | Bonhams | Feb 2026 |
| 8 | Seated Man #3, 1995 | Sculpture | $63,500 | Rago Arts | May 2025 |
| 9 | Seated Man #3, 1995 | Painted found wood assemblage | $50,000 | Wright | May 2025 |
| 10 | The Traders, 1984 | Oil on canvas | $44,800 | Freeman's Hindman | Nov 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 11 | $3,660 |
| Paintings | 60 | $1,763 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $990 |
| Other | 7 | $958 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $44,275 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 33 | $1,952 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 35 | $835 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 138 results from 38 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


David Bates is a British (modern) artist with 185 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $1,500. 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 David Bates sold in 2026 for $88,900, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a David Bates work worth?

Across 118 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Bates work is $1,500.

The median David Bates painting sells for $1,075 across 101 lots.

The median David Bates work on paper sells for $405 across 14 lots.

The median David Bates print sells for $3,660 across 9 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) David Bates paintings typically sell for $571–$2,244 (the middle half of 47 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) David Bates paintings typically sell for $279–$1,400 (the middle half of 41 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 | 9 | $3,660 | $8,500 | — | 2026-09-17 |
| Paintings | 122 | $1,075†‡ | $229,500 | 82.8% | 2026-09-16 |
| Works on Paper | 21 | $405†‡ | $3,333 | 66.7% | 2026-07-14 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $83,050 | $215,900 | — | 2026-02-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $184,150 | $229,500 | — | 2026-09-29 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

David Bates's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (9 lots) median $3,660. Paintings (122 lots) median $1,075, record $229,500. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $184,150.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $3,000–$4,000 | $3,660 | $8,500 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 41 | $279–$1,400†‡ | $620†‡ | $26,000† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 47 | $571–$2,244†‡ | $1,075†‡ | $35,280 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $21,875–$111,075† | $43,750† | $229,500 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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) | 8 | $119–$1,568†‡ | $235†‡ | $3,333 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $405–$447‡ | $430‡ | $3,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $229,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $215,900 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $184,150 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $83,050 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $8,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $5,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $3,333 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $3,000 |

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 David Bates worth?

Across 118 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Bates work is $1,500. The median David Bates painting sells for $1,075 across 101 lots. The median David Bates work on paper sells for $405 across 14 lots. The median David Bates print sells for $3,660 across 9 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) David Bates paintings typically sell for $571–$2,244 (the middle half of 47 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) David Bates paintings typically sell for $279–$1,400 (the middle half of 41 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 David Bates painting?

Based on 101 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Bates painting is $1,075. 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 David Bates's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Bates painting is $229,500.

### What is the average price of a David Bates work on paper?

Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Bates work on paper is $405. 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 David Bates's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Bates work on paper is $3,333.

### What is the average price of a medium David Bates painting?

Based on 47 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium David Bates painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,075, 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 David Bates painting?

Based on 41 sold lots, the median auction price of a small David Bates painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $620, 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 David Bates's auction record?

David Bates's auction record is $229,500, set in 2025.

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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, “David Bates auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-bates (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.