> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/george-nelson · updated 2026-11-02

# George Nelson (1908–1986)

## What is George Nelson’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 11 | $2,040 |
| Other | 2,710 | $2,000 |
| Prints | 21 | $1,888 |
| Sculpture | 35 | $953 |
| Works on paper | 9 | $750 |

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

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


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).

- [George Nelson on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/george-nelson?ref=kg:george-nelson) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

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

## 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.

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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, “George Nelson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/george-nelson (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.