Joseph Cornell (1903–1972)
What is Joseph Cornell’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 292 auction results for Joseph Cornell at 25 houses since 1997. Over the last 24 months the median price was $25,600 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,483–$89,250, n=27). The auction record is $7,781,000 for Medici Slot Machine (2014, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medici Slot Machine, 1943 | Glass | $7,781,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 2 | Medici Princess, 1952 | Glass | $5,989,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 3 | Untitled (Penny Arcade Portrait of Lauren Bacall) with Penny Arcade Portrait of Lauren Bacall: Working Model Based Upon "To Have and Have Not", 1945-1970 | Glass | $5,317,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 4 | Medici Slot Machine: Object, 1942 | Glass | $5,037,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 5 | Magic Soap Bubble Set, 1940 | Glass | $4,827,750 | Christie's | May 2013 |
| 6 | Aviary [Cockatoo and Watches], 1948 | Glass | $4,757,000 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 7 | Pharmacy, 1943 | Wood box construction -- printed paper, colored sand, colored foil, sulfur, feathers, seashells, butterfly, aluminum foil, fiber, wood shavings, copper wire, fruit pits, water, gold paint, cork, water, dried leaves and found objects | $3,778,500 | Christie's | Nov 2008 |
| 8 | Untitled (Compartmented Medici Princess [Bronzino]), 1952 | Box construction | $2,965,000 | Christie's | Nov 2013 |
| 9 | Untitled (Medici Princess), 1952 | Box construction | $2,592,000 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 10 | Soap Bubble Set, 1939 | Glass | $2,045,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 8 | $281,000 |
| Other | 141 | $69,300 |
| Works on paper | 80 | $31,969 |
| Photographs | 9 | $18,750 |
| Prints | 38 | $2,196 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $557,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 258 | $33,180 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 292 results from 25 houses · How we compute these figures
Joseph Cornell is an American artist with 318 auction lots recorded since 1997, median price $33,180. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Joseph Cornell sold in 2026 for $57,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Joseph Cornell works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Joseph Cornell free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Joseph Cornell record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joseph Cornell on OpeningBid →What is a Joseph Cornell work worth?
Across 292 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Cornell work is $33,180.
The median Joseph Cornell work on paper sells for $27,500 across 75 lots.
The median Joseph Cornell print sells for $2,253 across 54 lots.
The median Joseph Cornell photograph sells for $5,500 across 22 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Joseph Cornell work on papers typically sell for $12,600–$81,388 (the middle half of 72 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Joseph Cornell prints typically sell for $1,143–$4,250 (the middle half of 52 sold lots).
Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 57 | $2,253‡ | $4.8M | 94.7% | 2025-11-14 |
| Paintings | 5 | $203,200 | $343,500 | — | 2025-11-19 |
| Works on Paper | 78 | $27,500‡ | $529,200 | 96.2% | 2026-04-27 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 18 | $392,250 | $7.8M | — | 2024-11-20 |
| Photography | 26 | $5,500 | $343,500 | 84.6% | 2026-03-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 81 | $307,200 | $7.8M | — | 2025-11-20 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Joseph Cornell's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (57 lots) median $2,253 with 94.7% sell-through. Paintings (5 lots) median $203,200, record $343,500. A typical Joseph Cornell painting sells for around 90× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 81 lots) the median is $307,200.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 52 | $1,143–$4,250‡ | $2,253‡ | $1.7M |
‡ 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) | 5 | $122,141–$330,200 | $203,200 | $343,500 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 72 | $12,600–$81,388‡ | $29,350‡ | $529,200 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $150,000–$1.1M | $352,000 | $7.8M |
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $2,188–$35,280 | $5,775 | $343,500 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $7.8M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $5M |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $4.8M |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $1.7M |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $529,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $415,800 |
| Paintings | 2003 | $343,500 |
| Photography | 2003 | $343,500 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Joseph Cornell worth?
Across 292 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Cornell work is $33,180. The median Joseph Cornell work on paper sells for $27,500 across 75 lots. The median Joseph Cornell print sells for $2,253 across 54 lots. The median Joseph Cornell photograph sells for $5,500 across 22 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Joseph Cornell work on papers typically sell for $12,600–$81,388 (the middle half of 72 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Joseph Cornell prints typically sell for $1,143–$4,250 (the middle half of 52 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a Joseph Cornell work on paper?
Based on 75 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Cornell work on paper is $27,500. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Joseph Cornell's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Cornell work on paper is $529,200.
What is the average price of a Joseph Cornell print?
Based on 54 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Cornell print is $2,253. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Joseph Cornell's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Cornell print is $4,827,750.
What is the average price of a Joseph Cornell photograph?
Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Cornell photograph is $5,500.
What is Joseph Cornell's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Cornell photograph is $343,500.
What is the average price of a small Joseph Cornell work on paper?
Based on 72 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joseph Cornell work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $29,350, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a small Joseph Cornell print?
Based on 52 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joseph Cornell print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,253, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Joseph Cornell's auction record?
Joseph Cornell's auction record is $7,781,000, set in 2014.
See the full Joseph Cornell record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joseph Cornell on OpeningBid →