James Lee Byars (1932–1997)
What is James Lee Byars’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 183 auction results for James Lee Byars at 30 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,277 including buyer’s premium (middle half $999–$9,353, n=14). The auction record is $761,000 for The Figure of Death (2015, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Figure of Death, 2011 | Basalt, 10 pieces on gilded steel pedestal | $761,000 | Phillips | May 2015 |
| 2 | Eros, 1992 | Thassos marble, 2 pieces | $425,000 | Phillips | May 2015 |
| 3 | SLIT MOON, 1994 | Thassos marble in a vitrine designed by the artist (painted oak, metal, glass and velvet) | $210,771 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Oct 2015 |
| 4 | Untitled | Japanese ink on Japanese rice paper | $125,000 | Phillips | May 2015 |
| 5 | Planet Sign, 1981 | Circular discs in gold coloured fabric; and white tissue paper written on with violet colour pencil | $99,802 | Galerie Kornfeld Auktionen Bern | Jun 2023 |
| 6 | Eros | Gold pencil on black Japanese paper | $81,250 | Phillips | May 2015 |
| 7 | The Cube Book, 1989 | Kavala marble, in two parts, in vitrine | $59,275 | Christie's | Oct 2025 |
| 8 | Thin Disk with a Hole | — | $53,425 | Sotheby's | Feb 2008 |
| 9 | Untitled (Japanese paper and varnish elements), circa 1959 | Japanese paper and varnish | $50,000 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 10 | Slit Moon, 1994 | Thassos marble | $43,750 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 10 | $42,857 |
| Works on paper | 74 | $1,869 |
| Other | 45 | $1,413 |
| Prints | 12 | $1,165 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $8,190 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 30 | $3,384 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 75 | $1,080 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 183 results from 30 houses · How we compute these figures
James Lee Byars is an American artist with 258 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $1,759. 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 Lee Byars sold in 2026 for $3,810, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full James Lee Byars record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James Lee Byars on OpeningBid →What is a James Lee Byars work worth?
Across 182 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Lee Byars work is $1,759.
The median James Lee Byars work on paper sells for $2,802 across 70 lots.
The median James Lee Byars print sells for $554 across 24 lots.
The median James Lee Byars sculpture sells for $41,964 across 7 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) James Lee Byars work on papers typically sell for $795–$2,918 (the middle half of 34 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) James Lee Byars work on papers typically sell for $2,802–$7,355 (the middle half of 21 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 | 36 | $554†‡ | $5,250 | 66.7% | 2024-11-15 |
| Paintings | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Works on Paper | 91 | $2,802†‡ | $125,000 | 76.9% | 2026-07-02 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 7 | $41,964 | $761,000 | — | 2025-06-05 |
| Photography | 5 | $493 | $715 | 80% | 2023-06-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $96,776 | $761,000 | — | 2025-10-22 |
† 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) | 16 | $356–$1,122†‡ | $582†‡ | $1,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $387–$3,633†‡ | $1,144†‡ | $5,250 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 34 | $795–$2,918†‡ | $1,554†‡ | $12,985 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 21 | $2,802–$7,355†‡ | $3,810†‡ | $125,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $2,270–$8,190†‡ | $7,773†‡ | $99,802 |
† 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 | 2015 | $761,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2015 | $425,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $125,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $99,802 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $5,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $4,219‡ |
| Photography | 2019 | $715 |
| Photography | 2023 | $559 |
‡ 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 Lee Byars worth?
Across 182 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Lee Byars work is $1,759. The median James Lee Byars work on paper sells for $2,802 across 70 lots. The median James Lee Byars print sells for $554 across 24 lots. The median James Lee Byars sculpture sells for $41,964 across 7 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James Lee Byars work on papers typically sell for $795–$2,918 (the middle half of 34 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) James Lee Byars work on papers typically sell for $2,802–$7,355 (the middle half of 21 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 James Lee Byars work on paper?
Based on 70 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Lee Byars work on paper is $2,802. 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 Lee Byars's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James Lee Byars work on paper is $125,000.
What is the average price of a James Lee Byars print?
Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Lee Byars print is $554. 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 Lee Byars's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James Lee Byars print is $5,250.
What is the average price of a small James Lee Byars work on paper?
Based on 34 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Lee Byars work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,554, 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 medium James Lee Byars work on paper?
Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Lee Byars work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,810, 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 Lee Byars's auction record?
James Lee Byars's auction record is $761,000, set in 2015.
See the full James Lee Byars record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James Lee Byars on OpeningBid →