James Butler (1931–2022)
What is James Butler’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 31 auction results for James Butler at 11 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,403 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,395–$5,452, n=5). The auction record is $9,421 for Little dancer in leotard (2014, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little dancer in leotard, 1931 | Bronze | $9,421 | Bonhams | Jun 2014 |
| 2 | The Sun Hat, 2006 | Patinated bronze on a green marble circular plinth base | $5,877 | Chiswick Auctions | Sep 2021 |
| 3 | Pensive Child, 1931 | Bronze with a green and brown patina | $5,452 | Bonhams | Mar 2026 |
| 4 | Skipping Girl, 1931 | Bronze with a green and black patina | $5,452 | Bonhams | Mar 2026 |
| 5 | The ermine and the goldcrest | Watercolor, India ink and pencil on paper | $5,127 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 6 | Little dancer in leotard, 1931 | Bronze | $4,051 | Bonhams | Sep 2014 |
| 7 | The pensive ballerina, 1931 | Bronze | $3,978 | Bonhams | Jun 2014 |
| 8 | Pensive Dancer, 1931 | Bronze | $3,169 | Bonhams | Jul 2024 |
| 9 | The young ballerina, 1931 | Bronze | $3,140 | Bonhams | Jun 2014 |
| 10 | Girl, Matress and Carpet, 1980 | Bronze with a brown patina, mounted on a marble base | $2,733 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2017 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 19 | $2,731 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $4,014 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $1,395 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 31 results from 11 houses · How we compute these figures
James Butler is a British (modern) artist with 36 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $2,403. 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 James Butler sold in 2026 for $5,452, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full James Butler record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James Butler on OpeningBid →What is a James Butler work worth?
Across 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Butler work is $2,403.
The median James Butler sculpture sells for $2,659 across 24 lots.
The median James Butler work on paper sells for $2,675 across 2 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 | 2 | $2,675 | $5,127 | — | 2020-06-10 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 25 | $2,659†‡ | $9,421 | 96% | 2026-03-18 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $967–$2,278†‡ | $1,530†‡ | $2,731 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $3,162–$5,558 | $4,014 | $9,421 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $9,421 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $5,877 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $5,127 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $224 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a James Butler worth?
Across 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Butler work is $2,403. The median James Butler sculpture sells for $2,659 across 24 lots. The median James Butler work on paper sells for $2,675 across 2 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 James Butler sculpture?
Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Butler sculpture is $2,659. 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 James Butler's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James Butler sculpture is $9,421.
What is the average price of a small James Butler sculpture?
Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Butler sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,530, 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 James Butler's auction record?
James Butler's auction record is $9,421, set in 2014.
See the full James Butler record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James Butler on OpeningBid →