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

# Deborah Bell (b. 1957)

## What is Deborah Bell’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 156 auction results for Deborah Bell at 4 houses since 2009. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,531 including buyer’s premium (middle half $474–$8,259, n=62). The auction record is $44,147 for Traverse (2025, Strauss and Co). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Traverse, 2014 | Oil on canvas | $44,147 | Strauss and Co | Apr 2025 |
| 2 | Las Meninas/Caesura, 2012 | Oil on canvas | $30,842 | Strauss and Co | May 2026 |
| 3 | Sentinel VIII, 2004 | Bronze with a brown patina | $30,820 | Strauss and Co | Jul 2023 |
| 4 | That One Voice, 2018 | Bronze with a brown patina, on a painted steel base | $22,633 | Strauss and Co | May 2026 |
| 5 | Red Hart, 2011 | Mixed media with oil on canvas | $20,479 | Strauss and Co | May 2026 |
| 6 | Hymn, 2018 | Bronze with a brown patina | $19,651 | Strauss and Co | Sep 2024 |
| 7 | Memo, 2006 | Ink wash, watercolour, pencil and pastel on paper | $19,402 | Strauss and Co | May 2025 |
| 8 | Memo, 2006 | Ink wash, watercolour, pencil and pastel on paper | $17,857 | Strauss and Co | Jun 2026 |
| 9 | Passion Vision, 2004 | Mixed media with collage on paper | $17,467 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2025 |
| 10 | Presence, 2008 | Mixed media on paper | $17,061 | Strauss and Co | Mar 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 7 | $14,859 |
| Works on paper | 17 | $10,923 |
| Sculpture | 17 | $7,322 |
| Prints | 43 | $688 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $14,859 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 27 | $4,610 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 34 | $526 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 156 results from 4 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Deborah Bell is a South African artist with 192 auction lots recorded since 2009, median price $2,009. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Deborah Bell sold in 2026 for $8,571, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Deborah Bell work worth?

Across 151 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Deborah Bell work is $2,009.

The median Deborah Bell print sells for $641 across 75 lots.

The median Deborah Bell work on paper sells for $6,246 across 36 lots.

The median Deborah Bell sculpture sells for $10,923 across 20 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Deborah Bell prints typically sell for $391–$645 (the middle half of 29 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 79 | $641† | $9,774 | 94.9% | 2026-06-18 |
| Paintings | 7 | $25,661 | $44,147 | 85.7% | 2026-05-26 |
| Works on Paper | 37 | $6,246† | $19,402 | 97.3% | 2026-06-23 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 20 | $10,923 | $30,820 | — | 2026-06-23 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $30,820 | $44,147 | — | 2026-05-26 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Deborah Bell's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (79 lots) median $641 with 94.9% sell-through. Paintings (7 lots) median $25,661, record $44,147. A typical Deborah Bell painting sells for around 40× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $30,820.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 29 | $391–$645† | $463† | $1,238 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $1,100–$3,044† | $1,727† | $9,774 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $3,458–$11,518† | $5,595† | $19,402 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $10,923–$15,461 | $13,156 | $17,467 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $7,947–$11,445 | $9,801 | $22,633 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $44,147 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $30,842 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $30,820 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $22,633 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $19,402 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $17,857 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $9,774 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $5,213 |

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 Deborah Bell worth?

Across 151 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Deborah Bell work is $2,009. The median Deborah Bell print sells for $641 across 75 lots. The median Deborah Bell work on paper sells for $6,246 across 36 lots. The median Deborah Bell sculpture sells for $10,923 across 20 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Deborah Bell prints typically sell for $391–$645 (the middle half of 29 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Deborah Bell print?

Based on 75 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Deborah Bell print is $641. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Deborah Bell's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Deborah Bell print is $9,774.

### What is the average price of a Deborah Bell work on paper?

Based on 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Deborah Bell work on paper is $6,246. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Deborah Bell's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Deborah Bell work on paper is $19,402.

### What is the average price of a Deborah Bell sculpture?

Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Deborah Bell sculpture is $10,923.

### What is Deborah Bell's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Deborah Bell sculpture is $30,820.

### What is the average price of a small Deborah Bell print?

Based on 29 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Deborah Bell print (small (under 50 cm)) is $463, 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 medium Deborah Bell print?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Deborah Bell print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,727, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Deborah Bell's auction record?

Deborah Bell's auction record is $44,147, 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, “Deborah Bell auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/deborah-bell (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.