Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007)
What is Ettore Sottsass’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 2,599 auction results for Ettore Sottsass at 79 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,775 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,515–$9,863, n=455). The auction record is $856,800 for Menhir della Vita (2023, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menhir della Vita, 1917 | Ceramics | $856,800 | Christie's | Jun 2023 |
| 2 | Elledue, 1970 | Structure en résine teintée grise renforcée de fibre de verre, têtes de lit éclairantes en métal chromé, réflecteurs en perspex opalin | $193,978 | Artcurial | Oct 2018 |
| 3 | LIBRARY, 1965 | Lacquered wood | $119,165 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 4 | FURNITURE N.24, 1917 | Bibliothèque en bois teinté, noyer, érable, les étagères en aluminium anodisé | $104,410 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 5 | Commode Column, 1965 | Painted laminated wood, solid walnut, and leather | $88,900 | Sotheby's | Jun 2023 |
| 6 | Casablanca | Plastic-laminated wood | $87,034 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 7 | Nefertiti console-desk, 1967 | Structure en bois recouvert de mélaminé vert et blanc | $79,083 | Artcurial | Oct 2018 |
| 8 | A ring, Ettore Sottsass *,, 1963 | 18 carat gold, coral | $76,138 | Dorotheum | Jan 2023 |
| 9 | Lava, 1959 | Ceramic | $76,118 | Artcurial | May 2014 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menta totem, 1965 | Porcelain | $101,600 | Wright | Feb 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 412 | $4,182 |
| Works on paper | 40 | $4,093 |
| Other | 1,767 | $3,328 |
| Photographs | 6 | $1,517 |
| Paintings | 7 | $1,063 |
| Prints | 30 | $588 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 435 | $10,625 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 543 | $3,759 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 987 | $2,032 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 2,599 results from 79 houses · How we compute these figures
Ettore Sottsass is an Italian artist with 3,814 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $3,125. 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 Ettore Sottsass sold in 2026 for $4,477, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
47 Ettore Sottsass works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Ettore Sottsass free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Ettore Sottsass record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ettore Sottsass on OpeningBid →What is a Ettore Sottsass work worth?
Across 2,574 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ettore Sottsass work is $3,125.
The median Ettore Sottsass sculpture sells for $6,250 across 220 lots.
The median Ettore Sottsass print sells for $443 across 47 lots.
The median Ettore Sottsass work on paper sells for $789 across 36 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Ettore Sottsass sculptures typically sell for $2,474–$8,631 (the middle half of 98 sold lots).
Large (over 120 cm) Ettore Sottsass sculptures typically sell for $3,734–$17,473 (the middle half of 80 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 | 56 | $443†‡ | $20,662 | 83.9% | 2026-02-18 |
| Paintings | 15 | $6,600 | $57,130 | 86.7% | 2026-03-04 |
| Works on Paper | 42 | $789‡ | $34,434 | 85.7% | 2026-02-26 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 273 | $6,250†‡ | $104,410 | 80.6% | 2026-10-30 |
| Photography | 14 | $1,679‡ | $16,683 | 57.1% | 2026-10-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 130 | $44,164†‡ | $856,800 | — | 2026-07-02 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Ettore Sottsass's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (56 lots) median $443 with 83.9% sell-through. Paintings (15 lots) median $6,600, record $57,130. A typical Ettore Sottsass painting sells for around 15× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 130 lots) the median is $44,164.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 16 | $410–$890†‡ | $844†‡ | $6,796‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $2,280–$13,210 | $9,324 | $20,662 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $3,024–$4,375 | $3,900 | $35,692 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $707–$8,908‡ | $3,174‡ | $30,009 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $15,600–$17,500 | $15,985 | $19,579 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $1,200–$6,250 | $3,192 | $17,780 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 98 | $2,474–$8,631 | $5,812 | $75,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 80 | $3,734–$17,473‡ | $8,610‡ | $104,410 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2008 | $104,410 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2011 | $75,000 |
| Paintings | 2008 | $57,130 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $47,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $34,434 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $30,009 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $20,662 |
| Photography | 2025 | $16,683 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ettore Sottsass worth?
Across 2,574 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ettore Sottsass work is $3,125. The median Ettore Sottsass sculpture sells for $6,250 across 220 lots. The median Ettore Sottsass print sells for $443 across 47 lots. The median Ettore Sottsass work on paper sells for $789 across 36 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ettore Sottsass sculptures typically sell for $2,474–$8,631 (the middle half of 98 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Ettore Sottsass sculptures typically sell for $3,734–$17,473 (the middle half of 80 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 Ettore Sottsass sculpture?
Based on 220 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ettore Sottsass sculpture is $6,250. 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 Ettore Sottsass's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ettore Sottsass sculpture is $104,410.
What is the average price of a Ettore Sottsass print?
Based on 47 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ettore Sottsass print is $443. 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 Ettore Sottsass's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ettore Sottsass print is $20,662.
What is the average price of a Ettore Sottsass work on paper?
Based on 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ettore Sottsass work on paper is $789. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Ettore Sottsass's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ettore Sottsass work on paper is $34,434.
What is the average price of a medium Ettore Sottsass sculpture?
Based on 98 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ettore Sottsass sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,812, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a large Ettore Sottsass sculpture?
Based on 80 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Ettore Sottsass sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $8,610, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Ettore Sottsass's auction record?
Ettore Sottsass's auction record is $856,800, set in 2023.
See the full Ettore Sottsass record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ettore Sottsass on OpeningBid →