David James (1853–1904)
What is David James’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 48 auction results for David James at 19 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,456 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,874–$8,981, n=7). The auction record is $100,131 for Cornish rollers (2017, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cornish rollers, 1853 | Oil paint | $100,131 | Christie's | Dec 2017 |
| 2 | A Cornish Roller, 1853 | Oil paint | $76,115 | Christie's | Jun 2011 |
| 3 | Plunging Seas, 1853 | Oil paint | $59,165 | Christie's | Dec 2025 |
| 4 | Cornish breakers, 1853 | Oil paint | $44,140 | Christie's | Dec 2018 |
| 5 | Breaking waves, 1853 | Oil paint | $43,103 | Christie's | Jul 2018 |
| 6 | A ground sea, 1853 | Oil paint | $40,469 | Christie's | Mar 2017 |
| 7 | Evening Tide, 1853 | Oil paint | $32,284 | Christie's | Jul 2017 |
| 8 | The breaking wave, 1853 | Oil paint | $31,332 | Christie's | Mar 2012 |
| 9 | The inrushing tide, 1895 | Oil on canvas | $30,928 | Christie's | Jul 2016 |
| 10 | The Incoming Tide, St Ives Bay, 1853 | Oil paint | $24,703 | Christie's | Jul 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 29 | $12,097 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $30,928 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 11 | $2,566 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 48 results from 19 houses · How we compute these figures
David James is an American artist with 55 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $5,515. 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 James sold in 2026 for $12,097, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full David James record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View David James on OpeningBid →What is a David James work worth?
Across 43 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David James work is $5,515.
The median David James painting sells for $5,515 across 41 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) David James paintings typically sell for $12,214–$38,422 (the middle half of 22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 45 | $5,515†‡ | $100,131 | 91.1% | 2026-04-22 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $76,115 | $100,131 | — | 2025-12-03 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $1,804–$2,577†‡ | $2,074†‡ | $14,410 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 22 | $12,214–$38,422‡ | $24,198‡ | $100,131 |
† 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 | 2017 | $100,131 |
| Paintings | 2011 | $76,115 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a David James worth?
Across 43 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David James work is $5,515. The median David James painting sells for $5,515 across 41 lots. Large (over 120 cm) David James paintings typically sell for $12,214–$38,422 (the middle half of 22 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 James painting?
Based on 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David James painting is $5,515. 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 James's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a David James painting is $100,131.
What is the average price of a large David James painting?
Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a large David James painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $24,198, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a medium David James painting?
Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium David James painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,074, 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 James's auction record?
David James's auction record is $100,131, set in 2017.
See the full David James record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View David James on OpeningBid →