> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/frank-dobson-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Frank Dobson (1886–1963)

## What is Frank Dobson’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 145 auction results for Frank Dobson at 15 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,662 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,149–$3,461, n=10). The auction record is $2,799,733 for Female Torso (2021, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Female Torso, 1926 | Carved sandstone | $2,799,733 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 2 | Woman with a Bowl, 1886 | Concrete | $105,673 | Christie's | Oct 2003 |
| 3 | Dancers | Bronze | $72,656 | Sotheby's | May 2010 |
| 4 | Kneeling Figure, 1935 | Terracotta | $49,555 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 5 | Two heads, 1935 | Stone composite | $46,823 | Christie's | Jun 2014 |
| 6 | Kneeling Female Figure | — | $46,350 | Sotheby's | Jul 2007 |
| 7 | The Repast, 1946 | Terracotta | $40,927 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 8 | Europa and the Bull, 1946 | Terracotta | $30,963 | Christie's | Jun 2006 |
| 9 | Woman Waking, 1925 | Bronze | $25,664 | Christie's | Mar 2024 |
| 10 | Tallulah Bankhead, 1924 | Bronze with a green and brown patina, on a wooden base | $22,435 | Christie's | Oct 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 27 | $8,658 |
| Other | 24 | $3,840 |
| Paintings | 7 | $2,831 |
| Works on paper | 47 | $1,441 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 25 | $3,917 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 71 | $2,925 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 145 results from 15 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Frank Dobson is a British (modern) artist with 200 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $1,892. 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 Frank Dobson is recorded as sold in 2026 for $4,020; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Frank Dobson work worth?

Across 141 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Frank Dobson work is $1,892.

The median Frank Dobson work on paper sells for $1,397 across 87 lots.

The median Frank Dobson sculpture sells for $7,067 across 21 lots.

The median Frank Dobson painting sells for $1,948 across 11 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Frank Dobson work on papers typically sell for $588–$3,401 (the middle half of 58 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Frank Dobson work on papers typically sell for $556–$3,544 (the middle half of 26 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 | 2 | $1,020 | $1,020 | 50% | 2009-08-05 |
| Paintings | 19 | $1,948‡ | $18,545 | 57.9% | 2026-09-08 |
| Works on Paper | 108 | $1,397†‡ | $19,751 | 80.6% | 2026-09-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 25 | $7,067 | $2.8M | 84% | 2026-09-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $48,189 | $2.8M | — | 2023-03-14 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Frank Dobson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $1,020 with 50% sell-through. Paintings (19 lots) median $1,948, record $18,545. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 8 lots) the median is $48,189.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $1,588–$3,640‡ | $1,920‡ | $18,545 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 58 | $588–$3,401†‡ | $1,397†‡ | $19,751 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 26 | $556–$3,544†‡ | $1,369†‡ | $7,333 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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) | 16 | $1,593–$13,222 | $4,134 | $2.8M |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $2.8M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2003 | $105,672 |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $19,751 |
| Paintings | 2003 | $18,545 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $13,264 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $7,741 |
| Prints & Editions | 2009 | $1,020 |

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 Frank Dobson worth?

Across 141 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Frank Dobson work is $1,892. The median Frank Dobson work on paper sells for $1,397 across 87 lots. The median Frank Dobson sculpture sells for $7,067 across 21 lots. The median Frank Dobson painting sells for $1,948 across 11 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Frank Dobson work on papers typically sell for $588–$3,401 (the middle half of 58 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Frank Dobson work on papers typically sell for $556–$3,544 (the middle half of 26 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 Frank Dobson work on paper?

Based on 87 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Frank Dobson work on paper is $1,397. 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 Frank Dobson's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Frank Dobson work on paper is $19,751.

### What is the average price of a Frank Dobson sculpture?

Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Frank Dobson sculpture is $7,067.

### What is Frank Dobson's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Frank Dobson sculpture is $2,799,733.

### What is the average price of a Frank Dobson painting?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Frank Dobson painting is $1,948. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Frank Dobson's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Frank Dobson painting is $18,545.

### What is the average price of a small Frank Dobson work on paper?

Based on 58 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Frank Dobson work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,397, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 medium Frank Dobson work on paper?

Based on 26 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Frank Dobson work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,369, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Frank Dobson's auction record?

Frank Dobson's auction record is $2,799,733, set in 2021.

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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, “Frank Dobson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/frank-dobson-2 (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.