John Chamberlain (1927–2011)
What is John Chamberlain’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 437 auction results for John Chamberlain at 27 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $11,806 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,664–$204,737, n=65). The auction record is $4,633,000 for Big E (2007, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big E, 1962 | Painted and chromium-plated steel | $4,633,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 2 | Bijou | Painted and chromium-plated steel | $2,281,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 3 | Jo-So, 1960 | Painted steel on artist's wood base | $1,984,000 | Sotheby's | May 2026 |
| 4 | Butternut, 1963 | Chromium | $1,941,000 | Sotheby's | May 2025 |
| 5 | Sprayed Myopia, 1988 | Painted and chrome-plated steel | $1,647,159 | Phillips | Mar 2023 |
| 6 | Blue Flushing | Painted and chromium plated steel | $1,538,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2011 |
| 7 | Debonaire Apache, 1991 | Painted and chromium-plated steel | $1,479,297 | Christie's | Nov 2011 |
| 8 | Andrea Florentina Luchezzi, 1983 | Painted and chromium-plated steel | $1,161,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 9 | Air Diamonds, 1989 | Painted steel and lacquer | $1,031,317 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 10 | Gangster of Love, 1985 | Chromium-plated and painted steel | $1,008,000 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 221 | $220,500 |
| Other | 48 | $27,720 |
| Works on paper | 36 | $6,723 |
| Prints | 78 | $1,658 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 76 | $360,500 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 194 | $43,725 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 105 | $30,240 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 437 results from 27 houses · How we compute these figures
John Chamberlain is an American artist with 611 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $88,200. 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 John Chamberlain sold in 2026 for $123,270, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
13 John Chamberlain works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow John Chamberlain free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full John Chamberlain record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View John Chamberlain on OpeningBid →What is a John Chamberlain work worth?
Across 436 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Chamberlain work is $88,200.
The median John Chamberlain sculpture sells for $221,000 across 257 lots.
The median John Chamberlain print sells for $1,992 across 90 lots.
The median John Chamberlain work on paper sells for $5,750 across 26 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) John Chamberlain sculptures typically sell for $26,875–$217,350 (the middle half of 123 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) John Chamberlain sculptures typically sell for $136,355–$458,816 (the middle half of 67 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 | 102 | $1,992†‡ | $64,736 | 88.2% | 2026-09-10 |
| Paintings | 8 | $85,209 | $828,854 | — | 2026-05-02 |
| Works on Paper | 33 | $5,750 | $530,550 | 78.8% | 2026-02-24 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 283 | $221,000‡ | $2M | 90.8% | 2026-10-17 |
| Photography | 7 | $2,750† | $8,750 | 57.1% | 2025-10-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 206 | $302,400‡ | $4.6M | — | 2026-10-17 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
John Chamberlain's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (102 lots) median $1,992 with 88.2% sell-through. Paintings (8 lots) median $85,209, record $828,854. A typical John Chamberlain painting sells for around 43× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 206 lots) the median is $302,400.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 30 | $864–$4,732 | $1,504 | $38,248 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 39 | $796–$3,000† | $1,651† | $22,680 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $11,806–$20,000‡ | $18,170‡ | $64,736 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $31,250–$240,959 | $72,500 | $828,854 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $2,812–$12,895 | $5,200 | $170,000 |
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 123 | $26,875–$217,350 | $129,099 | $1.2M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 67 | $136,355–$458,816‡ | $289,800‡ | $2M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 59 | $317,500–$715,500 | $444,500 | $1.6M |
‡ 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 | 2026 | $2M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $1.9M |
| Paintings | 2018 | $828,854 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $530,550 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $384,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $170,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $64,736 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $38,248 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a John Chamberlain worth?
Across 436 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Chamberlain work is $88,200. The median John Chamberlain sculpture sells for $221,000 across 257 lots. The median John Chamberlain print sells for $1,992 across 90 lots. The median John Chamberlain work on paper sells for $5,750 across 26 lots. Small (under 50 cm) John Chamberlain sculptures typically sell for $26,875–$217,350 (the middle half of 123 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) John Chamberlain sculptures typically sell for $136,355–$458,816 (the middle half of 67 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 John Chamberlain sculpture?
Based on 257 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Chamberlain sculpture is $221,000. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is John Chamberlain's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Chamberlain sculpture is $1,984,000.
What is the average price of a John Chamberlain print?
Based on 90 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Chamberlain print is $1,992. 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 John Chamberlain's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Chamberlain print is $64,736.
What is the average price of a John Chamberlain work on paper?
Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Chamberlain work on paper is $5,750.
What is John Chamberlain's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Chamberlain work on paper is $530,550.
What is the average price of a small John Chamberlain sculpture?
Based on 123 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Chamberlain sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $129,099, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a medium John Chamberlain sculpture?
Based on 67 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium John Chamberlain sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $289,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is John Chamberlain's auction record?
John Chamberlain's auction record is $4,633,000, set in 2007.
See the full John Chamberlain record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View John Chamberlain on OpeningBid →