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

# Elio Martinelli (1922–2004)

## What is Elio Martinelli’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 70 auction results for Elio Martinelli at 29 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $576 including buyer’s premium (middle half $351–$940, n=14). The auction record is $4,383 for Cobra (2008, Artcurial). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cobra, 1968 | Tin | $4,383 | Artcurial | Mar 2008 |
| 2 | sconces, pair, 1965 | Enamel | $3,000 | Wright | Oct 2016 |
| 3 | illuminated table mirror, 1969 | Aluminum | $1,875 | Wright | Jun 2017 |
| 4 | Serpente, circa 1960 | Métal laqué et méthyle-acrylate | $1,811 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Jul 2022 |
| 5 | Serpentine floor lamps, 1965 | Italy, 1965 methacrylate plastic, chrome-plated steel | $1,664 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | May 2026 |
| 6 | Serpentine floor lamps model 2131, 1965 | Methacrylate plastic, chrome-plated steel | $1,664 | Wright | May 2026 |
| 7 | Serpente, 1968 | Enamel | $1,440 | Wright | Jun 2008 |
| 8 | Lampada da tavolo mod. Serpente, 1965 | Struttura in metallo tubolare cromato e diffusore in perspex | $1,301 | Cambi Casa d'Aste | Feb 2026 |
| 9 | Untitled (ink drawing), 1922 | Ink | $1,150 | Wright | Nov 2002 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | etchings, pair, 1922 | Engraving | $1,265 | Wright | Nov 2002 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 45 | $762 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $1,019 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $783 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 16 | $661 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 70 results from 29 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Elio Martinelli is an Italian artist with 158 auction lots recorded since 2001, median price $751. 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 Elio Martinelli sold in 2026 for $1,664, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 Elio Martinelli works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Elio Martinelli on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elio-martinelli?ref=kg:elio-martinelli) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Elio Martinelli work worth?

Across 69 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elio Martinelli work is $751.

The median Elio Martinelli sculpture sells for $793 across 8 lots.

The median Elio Martinelli painting sells for $690 across 2 lots.

The median Elio Martinelli print sells for $1,265 across 1 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 | 1 | $1,265 | $1,265 | — | 2002-11-19 |
| Paintings | 2 | $690 | $693 | — | 2024-07-30 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $1,150 | $1,150 | — | 2002-11-19 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 11 | $793 | $1,875 | 72.7% | 2026-03-12 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $2,438 | $4,383 | — | 2022-07-01 |

Elio Martinelli's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $1,265. Paintings (2 lots) median $690, record $693. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $2,438.

## Price by size

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $521–$1,125 | $848 | $1,875 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2017 | $1,875 |
| Prints & Editions | 2002 | $1,265 |
| Works on Paper | 2002 | $1,150 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $1,125 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $693 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $688 |

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 Elio Martinelli worth?

Across 69 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elio Martinelli work is $751. The median Elio Martinelli sculpture sells for $793 across 8 lots. The median Elio Martinelli painting sells for $690 across 2 lots. The median Elio Martinelli print sells for $1,265 across 1 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 Elio Martinelli sculpture?

Based on 8 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Elio Martinelli sculpture is $793.

### What is Elio Martinelli's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Elio Martinelli sculpture is $1,875.

### What is Elio Martinelli's auction record?

Elio Martinelli's auction record is $4,383, set in 2008.

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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, “Elio Martinelli auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elio-martinelli (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.