> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/desmond-morris · updated 2026-11-03

# Desmond Morris (1928–2026)

## What is Desmond Morris’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 8 | $2,693 |
| Paintings | 39 | $2,152 |
| Prints | 6 | $1,470 |
| Works on paper | 37 | $1,296 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

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

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Desmond Morris auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/desmond-morris (updated 2026-11-03).

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.