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

# David Ellsworth (1944–2025)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 30 auction results for David Ellsworth at 8 houses since 2013. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,778 including buyer’s premium (middle half $858–$3,168, n=13). The auction record is $6,250 for Mecta from the Solstice Series (2021, Rago Arts). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mecta from the Solstice Series, 1991 | Quill | $6,250 | Rago Arts | May 2021 |
| 2 | Untitled (Vessel), 1986 | Pheasant wood | $5,334 | Wright | Jan 2026 |
| 3 | Orb, 2004 | Sculpture | $5,080 | Rago Arts | Jan 2025 |
| 4 | Untitled (Vessel), 1987 | Madagascar ebony | $4,826 | Wright | Jan 2026 |
| 5 | Collection of four vessels, 1982 | Red maple burl, spalted sugar maple, myrtle burl, primo maple burl | $4,063 | Rago Arts | May 2021 |
| 6 | Vessel, 1981 | Lignum vitae (guayacan) | $3,750 | Rago Arts | May 2021 |
| 7 | collection of five small vessels, 1981 | Partridgewood | $3,250 | Rago Arts | May 2020 |
| 8 | Untitled (Vessel), 1987 | Madagascar ebony | $3,168 | Wright | Jan 2026 |
| 9 | Low Ovoid, 2009 | Spalted sugar maple | $3,000 | Rago Arts | Sep 2022 |
| 10 | Inversion Bowl B3, 1985 | Redwood lace burl | $2,904 | Wright | Jan 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 22 | $2,079 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $2,032 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 30 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


David Ellsworth is an American artist with 36 auction lots recorded since 2013, median price $1,778. 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 Ellsworth sold in 2026 for $1,778, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 David Ellsworth work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [David Ellsworth on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-ellsworth?ref=kg:david-ellsworth) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a David Ellsworth work worth?

Across 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Ellsworth work is $1,778.

The median David Ellsworth sculpture sells for $1,929 across 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 6 | $1,929 | $5,080 | 66.7% | 2026-08-19 |

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $5,080 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $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 Ellsworth worth?

Across 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Ellsworth work is $1,778. The median David Ellsworth sculpture sells for $1,929 across 4 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 David Ellsworth's auction record?

David Ellsworth's auction record is $6,250, set in 2021.

---

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 Ellsworth auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-ellsworth (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.