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

# Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914–1999)

## What is Ilmari Tapiovaara’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 368 auction results for Ilmari Tapiovaara at 54 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,542 including buyer’s premium (middle half $842–$11,944, n=49). The auction record is $59,192 for Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999) (2024, PIASA). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999), 1971 | Verre doré Modèle créé en 1971 H 145×Ø 75cm Provenance : Modèle réalisé pour l’aménag | $59,192 | PIASA | Nov 2024 |
| 2 | Modèle n°4118, dit 'Palan', 1914 | Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999) | $51,179 | PIASA | Sep 2021 |
| 3 | Paire de fauteuils dit "Marski" - 1960, 1960 | Sabots en laiton, piètement en bois teinté, assise et dossier recouverts de tissu blanc, attaches en laiton | $39,698 | Artcurial | Nov 2017 |
| 4 | Bibliothèque modèle ‘Cantu’, 1950 | Teak and raffia | $32,555 | PIASA | Nov 2024 |
| 5 | Bibliothèque mod. Cantù, 1960 | Structure en teck, portes en bois laqué noir et blanc et en teck | $30,863 | Artcurial | Apr 2019 |
| 6 | Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999), 1957 | Tissu et laiton pour l’autre Édition Ditta Tonelli & Broggi Date de création : 1957 C | $29,310 | PIASA | Jul 2026 |
| 7 | Ensemble de deux fauteuils et un canapé, circa 1951 | Fabric upholstered stained birch | $25,640 | Christie's | Dec 2020 |
| 8 | Maija the Bee, 1914 | Sapphire | $24,084 | PIASA | Sep 2021 |
| 9 | Bibliothèque modulable « Cantù », 1960 | Lacquer | $23,004 | Artcurial | Nov 2025 |
| 10 | Bibliothèque mod. Cantù, 1957 | Lacquer | $21,885 | Artcurial | Nov 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 9 | $6,250 |
| Other | 261 | $1,875 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 57 | $4,409 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 163 | $1,610 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 40 | $1,553 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 368 results from 54 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ilmari Tapiovaara is a Finnish artist with 520 auction lots recorded since 2001, median price $1,559. 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 Ilmari Tapiovaara is recorded as sold in 2026 for $2,680; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**12 Ilmari Tapiovaara works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Ilmari Tapiovaara on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ilmari-tapiovaara?ref=kg:ilmari-tapiovaara) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Ilmari Tapiovaara work worth?

Across 334 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ilmari Tapiovaara work is $1,559.

The median Ilmari Tapiovaara sculpture sells for $5,430 across 9 lots.

The median Ilmari Tapiovaara work on paper sells for $6,875 across 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 8 | $6,875 | $11,250 | — | 2026-04-17 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 10 | $5,430 | $16,551 | 90% | 2026-07-02 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 18 | $22,444 | $59,192 | — | 2026-07-02 |

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $2,438–$7,812 | $6,875 | $11,250 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $995–$13,547 | $5,430 | $14,930 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2020 | $16,551 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $14,930 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $11,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $8,750 |

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 Ilmari Tapiovaara worth?

Across 334 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ilmari Tapiovaara work is $1,559. The median Ilmari Tapiovaara sculpture sells for $5,430 across 9 lots. The median Ilmari Tapiovaara work on paper sells for $6,875 across 8 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 Ilmari Tapiovaara's auction record?

Ilmari Tapiovaara's auction record is $59,192, set in 2024.

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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, “Ilmari Tapiovaara auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ilmari-tapiovaara (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.