James (1832–1889)
What is James’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 21 auction results for James at 8 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $547 including buyer’s premium (middle half $277–$841, n=5). The auction record is $7,150 for THE DAY'S BAG/SCENE WITH DOGS AND GAME (1991, Skinner (Bonhams Skinner)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | THE DAY'S BAG/SCENE WITH DOGS AND GAME, 1884 | Gouache and ink on paper | $7,150 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | May 1991 |
| 2 | Naval Battle | Oil on panel | $1,840 | Neal Auction Company | Feb 2003 |
| 3 | A Quiet Rest | Oil on canvas | $1,481 | Sworders | May 2026 |
| 4 | Lobster, fish and a basket on a kitchen table, 19th century | Oil on canvas | $1,379 | Sworders | Apr 2023 |
| 5 | Marine Battle, late 20th c. | Oil on panel | $1,150 | Neal Auction Company | Jun 2003 |
| 6 | Brace of Gordon Setters | Oil on board | $841 | Sworders | May 2025 |
| 7 | Study of game | Oil on canvas | $547 | Cheffins Fine Art | Jun 2026 |
| 8 | GRANNY'S HELPER, 1866 | Watercolour | $403 | Sworders | Nov 2010 |
| 9 | Cutty Sark in Choppy Sea, view of a naval engagement, and A three master sailing ship leaving a harbour, 20th century | Oils on board | $378 | Sworders | Nov 2020 |
| 10 | A battle at sea, 1937 | Oil on canvas | $277 | Sworders | May 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 10 | $995 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $1,150 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 21 results from 8 houses · How we compute these figures
James is a British artist with 31 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $462. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by James sold in 2026 for $547, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full James record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James on OpeningBid →What is a James work worth?
Across 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James work is $462.
The median James painting sells for $475 across 17 lots.
The median James work on paper sells for $169 across 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 22 | $475†‡ | $12,160‡ | 77.3% | 2026-06-24 |
| Works on Paper | 15 | $169†‡ | $403 | 26.7% | 2023-08-18 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $386–$475†‡ | $401†‡ | $7,150 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $480–$1,571‡ | $1,265‡ | $12,160‡ |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2013 | $12,160‡ |
| Paintings | 1991 | $7,150 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $403 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $250‡ |
‡ 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 James worth?
Across 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James work is $462. The median James painting sells for $475 across 17 lots. The median James work on paper sells for $169 across 4 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 painting?
Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James painting is $475. 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's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James painting is $12,160. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a James work on paper?
Based on 4 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James work on paper is $169. 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's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James work on paper is $403.
What is James's auction record?
James's auction record is $12,160, set in 2013. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full James record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James on OpeningBid →