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

# Harold Riley (1934–2023)

## What is Harold Riley’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 34 auction results for Harold Riley at 8 houses since 2008. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,201 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,062–$2,256, n=7). The auction record is $33,835 for Bill Flood, the chimney sweep (2013, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill Flood, the chimney sweep, 1934 | Oil paint | $33,835 | Christie's | Dec 2013 |
| 2 | Three Children with Dog, 1934 | Painting | $22,067 | Bonhams | Nov 2021 |
| 3 | The Red House, 1934 | Oil paint | $18,753 | Christie's | Mar 2017 |
| 4 | The King's Cinema, Salford, 1962 | Oil paint | $16,405 | Christie's | Dec 2013 |
| 5 | The Dog Fight, 1934 | Oil paint | $11,721 | Christie's | Mar 2017 |
| 6 | The King's Cinema, Salford, 1934 | Gouache | $6,152 | Christie's | Dec 2013 |
| 7 | Harold Riley (b.1934) Rag and Bone man Signed and dated 69 Conte on buff paper 23 x 29cm | — | $3,908 | Woolley and Wallis | Jun 2018 |
| 8 | The Cart, 1968 | Oil on board | $3,428 | Chiswick Auctions | Jun 2025 |
| 9 | Prince of Wales Blood Tub, 1934 | Charcoal | $3,251 | Sworders | Feb 2022 |
| 10 | Leaving The Western Wall, Jerusalem, 1934 | Painting | $2,796 | Bonhams | Mar 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $11,721 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $1,566 |
| Other | 6 | $844 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $2,198 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 34 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Harold Riley is a British (modern) artist with 40 auction lots recorded since 2008, median price $2,198. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Harold Riley sold in 2025 for $3,428, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Harold Riley work worth?

Across 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Harold Riley work is $2,198.

The median Harold Riley work on paper sells for $935 across 15 lots.

The median Harold Riley painting sells for $3,428 across 15 lots.

The median Harold Riley photograph sells for $305 across 1 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 1 | $3,404‡ | $3,404‡ | — | 2021-05-27 |
| Paintings | 16 | $3,428‡ | $33,835 | 93.8% | 2026-07-15 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $935‡ | $6,152 | 78.9% | 2026-07-29 |
| Photography | 6 | $305 | $305 | 16.7% | 2008-08-06 |

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

Harold Riley's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $3,404. Paintings (16 lots) median $3,428, record $33,835.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $1,198–$16,992 | $2,813 | $33,835 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $591–$2,662‡ | $1,001‡ | $6,152 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2013 | $33,835 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $22,067 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $6,152 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $3,404‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $3,251 |
| Photography | 2008 | $305 |

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

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 Harold Riley worth?

Across 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Harold Riley work is $2,198. The median Harold Riley work on paper sells for $935 across 15 lots. The median Harold Riley painting sells for $3,428 across 15 lots. The median Harold Riley photograph sells for $305 across 1 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Harold Riley work on paper?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Harold Riley work on paper is $935. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Harold Riley's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Harold Riley work on paper is $6,152.

### What is the average price of a Harold Riley painting?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Harold Riley painting is $3,428. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Harold Riley's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Harold Riley painting is $33,835.

### What is the average price of a small Harold Riley painting?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Harold Riley painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,813, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Harold Riley work on paper?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Harold Riley work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,001, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Harold Riley's auction record?

Harold Riley's auction record is $33,835, set in 2013.

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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, “Harold Riley auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/harold-riley (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.