> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-james · updated 2026-11-01

# David James (1853–1904)

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

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 49 auction results for David James at 20 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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 29 | $12,097 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $30,928 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 11 | $2,566 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 49 results from 20 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “David James auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-james (updated 2026-11-01).

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.