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

# Jean Després (1889–1980)

## What is Jean Després’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 382 auction results for Jean Després at 21 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,771 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,019–$5,763, n=37). The auction record is $77,919 for Untitled (2019, Ader). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled, 1930 | Silver and painted glass | $77,919 | Ader | Jun 2019 |
| 2 | Important pair of vases, circa 1936 | Silver-plated brass | $73,343 | Phillips | Apr 2018 |
| 3 | Paire de candélabres, vers 1950-1960, 1950 | Métal argenté | $60,145 | Sotheby's | May 2011 |
| 4 | Jean DESPRÉS (1889-1980) Spectaculaire paire de candélabres en métal argenté, à cinq lumières, base carrée bordée d'un jonc, d'où s'... | Silvered metal | $48,101 | Tajan | May 2013 |
| 5 | Jean Després (1889-1980) Paire de spectaculaires candélabres en métal argenté, circa 1960. Terrasse carrée martelée d'où s'élève un ..., circa 1960 | Silver-plated metal | $40,341 | Tajan | Mar 2013 |
| 6 | Lys, 1930 | Silver | $40,062 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 7 | Paire de candélabres, vers 1950, 1950 | Metal | $34,170 | Sotheby's | May 2014 |
| 8 | Paire de bougeoirs | Lin | $33,351 | Artcurial | Mar 2008 |
| 9 | Untitled, 1930 | Silver, painted glass, and black lacquer | $33,188 | Ader | Jun 2019 |
| 10 | JEAN DESPRES | Métal argenté partiellement martelé | $32,564 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Jan 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 326 | $3,771 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $9,537 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 253 | $3,945 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 382 results from 21 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Jean Després is a French artist with 573 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $3,771. 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 Jean Després sold in 2026 for $5,235, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Jean Després work worth?

Across 380 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jean Després work is $3,771.

The median Jean Després print sells for $18,868 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 4 | $18,868 | $32,564 | 50% | 2020-01-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 19 | $32,564† | $77,919 | — | 2021-12-03 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $32,564 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $5,172 |

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 Jean Després worth?

Across 380 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jean Després work is $3,771. The median Jean Després print sells for $18,868 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 Jean Després's auction record?

Jean Després's auction record is $77,919, set in 2019.

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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, “Jean Després auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/jean-despres (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.