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

# Deborah Butterfield (b. 1949)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 84 auction results for Deborah Butterfield at 11 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $49,520 including buyer’s premium (middle half $28,680–$90,488, n=18). The auction record is $473,860 for Kapakahi (2007, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kapakahi, 1996 | Bronze | $473,860 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 2 | Setsuko | Cast bronze | $468,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 3 | Makili, 1995 | Patinated bronze | $381,000 | Sotheby's | Feb 2023 |
| 4 | E'epa, 1991 | Bronze | $370,784 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 5 | Maliʻu, 2012 | Bronze | $367,500 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 6 | Walla Walla, 1995 | Bronze | $330,200 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 7 | Dance Horse, 1949 | Bronze | $312,500 | Bonhams | Nov 2017 |
| 8 | Ahona, 2012 | Bronze | $307,500 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 9 | Lapu, 1949 | Bronze | $305,300 | Bonhams | Nov 2023 |
| 10 | Pali, 1949 | Bronze with light gray patina | $245,000 | Bonhams | May 2016 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 69 | $76,200 |
| Other | 5 | $60,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 31 | $100,800 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 40 | $42,400 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 84 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Deborah Butterfield is an American artist with 96 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $76,200. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Deborah Butterfield sold in 2026 for $95,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 Deborah Butterfield works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Deborah Butterfield on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/deborah-butterfield?ref=kg:deborah-butterfield) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Deborah Butterfield work worth?

Across 84 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Deborah Butterfield work is $76,200.

The median Deborah Butterfield sculpture sells for $81,250 across 72 lots.

The median Deborah Butterfield work on paper sells for $31,325 across 1 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Deborah Butterfield sculptures typically sell for $29,100–$112,781 (the middle half of 36 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) Deborah Butterfield sculptures typically sell for $62,500–$291,309 (the middle half of 31 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 1 | $31,325 | $31,325 | — | 2020-06-11 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 77 | $81,250† | $614,102 | 93.5% | 2026-09-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 32 | $187,500 | $614,102 | — | 2025-12-16 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 36 | $29,100–$112,781† | $50,200† | $614,102 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 31 | $62,500–$291,309 | $100,800 | $468,500 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2016 | $614,102 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2007 | $473,860 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $31,325 |

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 Butterfield worth?

Across 84 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Deborah Butterfield work is $76,200. The median Deborah Butterfield sculpture sells for $81,250 across 72 lots. The median Deborah Butterfield work on paper sells for $31,325 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Deborah Butterfield sculptures typically sell for $29,100–$112,781 (the middle half of 36 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Deborah Butterfield sculptures typically sell for $62,500–$291,309 (the middle half of 31 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

Based on 72 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Deborah Butterfield sculpture is $81,250. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Deborah Butterfield sculpture is $614,102.

### What is the average price of a medium Deborah Butterfield sculpture?

Based on 36 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Deborah Butterfield sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $50,200, 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 large Deborah Butterfield sculpture?

Based on 31 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Deborah Butterfield sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $100,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

Deborah Butterfield's auction record is $614,102, set in 2016.

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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 Butterfield auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/deborah-butterfield (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.