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

# James Ward (b. 1769)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 139 auction results for James Ward at 21 houses since 1997. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,368 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,174–$12,700, n=13). The auction record is $872,016 for A Lioness with a Heron (2010, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Lioness with a Heron | Oil on canvas | $872,016 | Sotheby's | Jul 2010 |
| 2 | Fitzhead in Somerset, with an ox-cart near a lime kiln, and Glastonbury Tor in the distance, 1769 | Painting | $364,016 | Christie's | Dec 2023 |
| 3 | Marengo, Napoleon's Barb charger, 1769 | Oil paint | $289,800 | Christie's | Jan 2023 |
| 4 | A view of Somersetshire from Fitzhead, the Seat of Lord Somerville, 1769 | Painting | $255,279 | Christie's | Dec 2018 |
| 5 | Confidence; and Disappointment, 1841 | Painting | $120,989 | Christie's | Jul 2021 |
| 6 | Adonis, the favourite charger of King George III, 1859 | Painting | $75,214 | Bonhams | Jul 2009 |
| 7 | Dash, Ward’s Spaniel, 1836 | Oil on canvas | $66,000 | Sotheby's | Feb 2025 |
| 8 | An oak tree in Richmond Park with a herd of fallow deer beside it | Oil on panel | $55,946 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 9 | A bay hunter in a landscape | Oil on canvas | $51,097 | Sotheby's | Jul 2026 |
| 10 | The Shire Horse Elephant in an Extensive Landscape | Oil on panel | $44,100 | Sotheby's | Jan 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 39 | $12,700 |
| Works on paper | 29 | $1,542 |
| Other | 31 | $1,051 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 22 | $12,844 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 67 | $1,584 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 139 results from 21 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Ward is a British (modern) artist with 143 auction lots recorded since 1997, median price $1,905. 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 Ward sold in 2026 for $11,050, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 James Ward work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [James Ward on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-ward?ref=kg:james-ward) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a James Ward work worth?

Across 122 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Ward work is $1,905.

The median James Ward work on paper sells for $1,168 across 61 lots.

The median James Ward painting sells for $4,779 across 47 lots.

The median James Ward print sells for $726 across 8 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) James Ward work on papers typically sell for $444–$2,683 (the middle half of 56 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) James Ward paintings typically sell for $4,760–$19,636 (the middle half of 22 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 | 11 | $726† | $11,050 | 72.7% | 2026-07-07 |
| Paintings | 54 | $4,779†‡ | $872,016 | 87% | 2026-07-02 |
| Works on Paper | 71 | $1,168†‡ | $16,161 | 85.9% | 2026-07-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $255,279 | $872,016 | — | 2025-02-05 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

James Ward's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (11 lots) median $726 with 72.7% sell-through. Paintings (54 lots) median $4,779, record $872,016. A typical James Ward painting sells for around 6.6× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $255,279.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $330–$2,053† | $974† | $11,050 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $747–$3,873†‡ | $1,728†‡ | $55,946 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 22 | $4,760–$19,636†‡ | $11,604†‡ | $289,800 |

† 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) | 56 | $444–$2,683†‡ | $1,051†‡ | $7,251 |

† 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 | 2010 | $872,016 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $364,016 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $16,161 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $11,050 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $8,385 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $2,228 |

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 Ward worth?

Across 122 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Ward work is $1,905. The median James Ward work on paper sells for $1,168 across 61 lots. The median James Ward painting sells for $4,779 across 47 lots. The median James Ward print sells for $726 across 8 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James Ward work on papers typically sell for $444–$2,683 (the middle half of 56 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) James Ward paintings typically sell for $4,760–$19,636 (the middle half of 22 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 Ward work on paper?

Based on 61 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Ward work on paper is $1,168. 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 Ward's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Ward work on paper is $16,161.

### What is the average price of a James Ward painting?

Based on 47 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Ward painting is $4,779. 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 Ward's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Ward painting is $872,016.

### What is the average price of a James Ward print?

Based on 8 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Ward print is $726. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is James Ward's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Ward print is $11,050.

### What is the average price of a small James Ward work on paper?

Based on 56 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Ward work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,051, 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 Ward painting?

Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Ward painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $11,604, 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 Ward's auction record?

James Ward's auction record is $872,016, set in 2010.

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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, “James Ward auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-ward (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.