Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925–2006)
What is Ian Hamilton Finlay’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 53 auction results for Ian Hamilton Finlay at 16 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,217 including buyer’s premium (middle half $710–$1,704, n=9). The auction record is $4,502 for Untitled (vases) (2011, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (vases), 1925 | Ceramics | $4,502 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 2 | Events are a Discourse, 1925 | Stone, unique | $3,061 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 3 | EARTHSHIP - 1965 | <p>19 screenprinted paper sheets stapled into a flexible sculpture in original printed cardboard box, from the edition of less than 50, published by Wild Hawthorn Press, Lanark</p> | $2,670 | Lyon & Turnbull | Aug 2025 |
| 4 | Fig leaf, 1991 | Gips | $2,210 | Karl & Faber | Dec 2017 |
| 5 | Flotte de Flute of Pêche the Peach, 1925 | Glass and wood | $1,704 | Bonhams | Mar 2026 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EVENING WILL COME, 1991 | Screenprint, 1/75, from the second edition, signed and numbered in pencil to margin | $2,046 | Lyon & Turnbull | Jan 2022 |
| 2 | TWO PRINTS FROM 'REEF-POINTS': 'WEST COUNTRY GAFFER' & 'MANX NOBBY', 1996 | Screenprints, from the edition of 90 (2) | $1,288 | Lyon & Turnbull | Aug 2026 |
| 3 | REEDPIPE, 1990, 1990 | <p>Lithograph, 119/150, signed and numbered in pencil to the envelope, published by Exempla, Firenze and Exit, Lugo </p> | $1,217 | Lyon & Turnbull | Jan 2025 |
| 4 | The Little Seamstress (collaboration with Richard Demarco), 1970 | Screenprint, published by Wild Hawthorn Press | $1,194 | Lyon & Turnbull | Jan 2022 |
| 5 | THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE and LACONIC, 1987 | Screenprints, ed. 250 | $1,022 | Lyon & Turnbull | Apr 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 5 | $2,210 |
| Prints | 24 | $584 |
| Other | 5 | $495 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $595 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 19 | $569 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 53 results from 16 houses · How we compute these figures
Ian Hamilton Finlay is a British (modern) artist with 63 auction lots recorded since 2001, median price $636. 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 Ian Hamilton Finlay sold in 2026 for $744, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Ian Hamilton Finlay record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ian Hamilton Finlay on OpeningBid →What is a Ian Hamilton Finlay work worth?
Across 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ian Hamilton Finlay work is $636.
The median Ian Hamilton Finlay print sells for $495 across 33 lots.
The median Ian Hamilton Finlay sculpture sells for $2,450 across 8 lots.
The median Ian Hamilton Finlay photograph sells for $736 across 1 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Ian Hamilton Finlay prints typically sell for $404–$697 (the middle half of 20 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 | 37 | $495†‡ | $2,046 | 89.2% | 2026-08-12 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 9 | $2,450† | $3,061 | 88.9% | 2026-03-12 |
| Photography | 1 | $736‡ | $736‡ | — | 2015-12-02 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $3,030† | $4,502 | — | 2026-03-12 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $344–$636†‡ | $513†‡ | $1,248‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $404–$697†‡ | $486†‡ | $2,046 |
† 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) | 6 | $2,341–$3,000† | $2,835† | $3,061 |
† 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 | 2026 | $3,061 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $3,000† |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $2,046 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $1,288 |
| Photography | 2015 | $736‡ |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ian Hamilton Finlay worth?
Across 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ian Hamilton Finlay work is $636. The median Ian Hamilton Finlay print sells for $495 across 33 lots. The median Ian Hamilton Finlay sculpture sells for $2,450 across 8 lots. The median Ian Hamilton Finlay photograph sells for $736 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ian Hamilton Finlay prints typically sell for $404–$697 (the middle half of 20 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 Ian Hamilton Finlay print?
Based on 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ian Hamilton Finlay print is $495. 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 Ian Hamilton Finlay's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ian Hamilton Finlay print is $2,046.
What is the average price of a medium Ian Hamilton Finlay print?
Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ian Hamilton Finlay print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $486, 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 small Ian Hamilton Finlay print?
Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ian Hamilton Finlay print (small (under 50 cm)) is $513, 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 Ian Hamilton Finlay's auction record?
Ian Hamilton Finlay's auction record is $4,502, set in 2011.
See the full Ian Hamilton Finlay record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ian Hamilton Finlay on OpeningBid →