George Nelson (1908–1986)
What is George Nelson’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 2,954 auction results for George Nelson at 65 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,778 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,016–$3,570, n=213). The auction record is $112,500 for Marshmallow Sofa (2015, Wright). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marshmallow Sofa, 1950 | Enamel | $112,500 | Wright | May 2015 |
| 2 | Marshmallow sofa, 1956 | Sofa | $38,400 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Feb 2008 |
| 3 | Comprehensive Storage System, 1960 | Aluminum | $36,750 | Wright | Oct 2007 |
| 4 | CSS (Comprehensive Storage System), 1959 | Storage system | $35,000 | Wright | Jan 2022 |
| 5 | Thin Edge end tables, 1955 | Partridgewood | $34,800 | Wright | Dec 2006 |
| 6 | custom jewelry chest, 1955 | Jewelry chest | $33,600 | Wright | Mar 2006 |
| 7 | Marshmallow Sofa, 1956 | Enamel | $30,420 | Wright | Sep 2003 |
| 8 | Marshmallow sofa, 1956 | Enamel | $29,900 | Wright | Mar 2002 |
| 9 | Marshmallow sofa, model #5670, 1956 | Enamel | $27,600 | Wright | Mar 2006 |
| 10 | Marshmallow sofa, model 5670, 1956 | Aluminum | $25,200 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Apr 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 11 | $2,040 |
| Other | 2,710 | $2,000 |
| Prints | 21 | $1,888 |
| Sculpture | 35 | $953 |
| Works on paper | 9 | $750 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 795 | $2,772 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 1,177 | $2,070 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 595 | $1,020 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 2,954 results from 65 houses · How we compute these figures
George Nelson is an American artist with 3,545 auction lots recorded since 1996, median price $1,920. 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 George Nelson sold in 2026 for $2,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
3 George Nelson works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow George Nelson free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full George Nelson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View George Nelson on OpeningBid →What is a George Nelson work worth?
Across 2,937 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a George Nelson work is $1,920.
The median George Nelson sculpture sells for $2,295 across 725 lots.
The median George Nelson print sells for $1,750 across 25 lots.
The median George Nelson painting sells for $761 across 18 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) George Nelson sculptures typically sell for $2,096–$6,888 (the middle half of 287 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) George Nelson sculptures typically sell for $978–$3,500 (the middle half of 274 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 | 29 | $1,750 | $8,125 | 86.2% | 2026-07-02 |
| Paintings | 21 | $761† | $8,125 | 85.7% | 2025-05-22 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $394‡ | $625 | 80% | 2023-07-23 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 827 | $2,295† | $36,750 | 87.7% | 2026-10-08 |
| Photography | 1 | $351 | $351 | — | 2003-09-14 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 163 | $11,875†‡ | $112,500 | — | 2026-02-26 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
George Nelson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (29 lots) median $1,750 with 86.2% sell-through. Paintings (21 lots) median $761, record $8,125. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 163 lots) the median is $11,875.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $750–$2,000 | $882 | $8,125 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $1,141–$4,516 | $2,504 | $7,500 |
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $369–$746† | $664† | $761 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $606–$2,125 | $1,225 | $8,125 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 154 | $568–$2,160 | $1,020 | $12,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 274 | $978–$3,500 | $1,905 | $20,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 287 | $2,096–$6,888† | $3,750† | $36,750 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2007 | $36,750 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $25,200 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $8,125 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $8,125 |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $7,500 |
| Paintings | 2002 | $4,888 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $625 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $600 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a George Nelson worth?
Across 2,937 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a George Nelson work is $1,920. The median George Nelson sculpture sells for $2,295 across 725 lots. The median George Nelson print sells for $1,750 across 25 lots. The median George Nelson painting sells for $761 across 18 lots. Large (over 120 cm) George Nelson sculptures typically sell for $2,096–$6,888 (the middle half of 287 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) George Nelson sculptures typically sell for $978–$3,500 (the middle half of 274 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 George Nelson sculpture?
Based on 725 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a George Nelson sculpture is $2,295. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is George Nelson's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a George Nelson sculpture is $36,750.
What is the average price of a George Nelson print?
Based on 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a George Nelson print is $1,750.
What is George Nelson's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a George Nelson print is $8,125.
What is the average price of a George Nelson painting?
Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a George Nelson painting is $761. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is George Nelson's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a George Nelson painting is $8,125.
What is the average price of a large George Nelson sculpture?
Based on 287 sold lots, the median auction price of a large George Nelson sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $3,750, 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 medium George Nelson sculpture?
Based on 274 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium George Nelson sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,905, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is George Nelson's auction record?
George Nelson's auction record is $112,500, set in 2015.
See the full George Nelson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View George Nelson on OpeningBid →