Desmond Morris (1928–2026)
What is Desmond Morris’s work worth?
As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 97 auction results for Desmond Morris at 12 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,325 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,222–$1,469, n=22). The auction record is $65,121 for The Courtship (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Courtship, 1948 | Oil on canvas | $65,121 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 2 | Bird Colony, 1928 | Crayon | $10,166 | Bonhams | Mar 2023 |
| 3 | The Ritual, 1949 | Oil on board | $9,368 | Roseberys London | Oct 2022 |
| 4 | read head | — | $9,079 | Sotheby's | Mar 2008 |
| 5 | the playground of power | — | $8,070 | Sotheby's | Mar 2008 |
| 6 | the perennial discovery | — | $7,061 | Sotheby's | Mar 2008 |
| 7 | The Serious Game, 1950 | Oil on canvas | $6,496 | Roseberys London | May 2022 |
| 8 | The Monarch, 2018 | Bronze with brown patina | $5,981 | Chiswick Auctions | Jul 2022 |
| 9 | The Departure, 1947 | Huile et sable sur carton entoilé | $5,877 | Christie's | Jun 2018 |
| 10 | The Springing Season, 1950-51 | Oil on board | $4,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Mar 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 8 | $2,693 |
| Paintings | 39 | $2,152 |
| Prints | 6 | $1,470 |
| Works on paper | 37 | $1,296 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $4,542 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 82 | $1,449 |
Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 97 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
Desmond Morris is a British (modern) artist with 112 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $1,494. 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 Desmond Morris sold in 2026 for $1,502, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Desmond Morris record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Desmond Morris on OpeningBid →What is a Desmond Morris work worth?
Across 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Desmond Morris work is $1,494.
The median Desmond Morris work on paper sells for $1,316 across 39 lots.
The median Desmond Morris painting sells for $2,006 across 40 lots.
The median Desmond Morris print sells for $1,470 across 6 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Desmond Morris work on papers typically sell for $1,071–$1,502 (the middle half of 39 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Desmond Morris paintings typically sell for $1,211–$2,591 (the middle half of 35 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 6 | $1,470 | $2,385 | — | 2026-03-18 |
| Paintings | 43 | $2,006† | $9,368 | 93% | 2025-11-26 |
| Works on Paper | 46 | $1,316† | $10,166 | 84.8% | 2026-07-15 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $4,286 | $5,981 | — | 2022-07-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $9,368 | $65,121 | — | 2023-03-22 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Desmond Morris's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (6 lots) median $1,470. Paintings (43 lots) median $2,006, record $9,368. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $9,368.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $1,447–$1,704 | $1,470 | $2,385 |
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 35 | $1,211–$2,591† | $1,713† | $6,496 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $4,520–$4,750 | $4,564 | $9,368 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 39 | $1,071–$1,502† | $1,316† | $10,166 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $10,166 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $9,368 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $6,496 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $5,981 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $2,600 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2020 | $2,592 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $2,385 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $1,776 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Desmond Morris worth?
Across 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Desmond Morris work is $1,494. The median Desmond Morris work on paper sells for $1,316 across 39 lots. The median Desmond Morris painting sells for $2,006 across 40 lots. The median Desmond Morris print sells for $1,470 across 6 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Desmond Morris work on papers typically sell for $1,071–$1,502 (the middle half of 39 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Desmond Morris paintings typically sell for $1,211–$2,591 (the middle half of 35 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 Desmond Morris work on paper?
Based on 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Desmond Morris work on paper is $1,316. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Desmond Morris's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Desmond Morris work on paper is $10,166.
What is the average price of a Desmond Morris painting?
Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Desmond Morris painting is $2,006. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Desmond Morris's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Desmond Morris painting is $9,368.
What is the average price of a small Desmond Morris work on paper?
Based on 39 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Desmond Morris work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,316, 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 small Desmond Morris painting?
Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Desmond Morris painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,713, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Desmond Morris's auction record?
Desmond Morris's auction record is $10,166, set in 2023.
See the full Desmond Morris record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Desmond Morris on OpeningBid →