> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-butler · updated 2026-11-03

# James Butler (1931–2022)

## What is James Butler’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 32 auction results for James Butler at 12 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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 20 | $2,704 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $4,014 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $1,530 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 32 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Butler is a British (modern) artist with 38 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $2,158. 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.

## What is a James Butler work worth?

Across 30 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Butler work is $2,158.

The median James Butler sculpture sells for $2,641 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 | $2,641†‡ | $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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a James Butler worth?

Across 30 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Butler work is $2,158. The median James Butler sculpture sells for $2,641 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 $2,641. 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “James Butler auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-butler (updated 2026-11-03).

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.