> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joseph-cornell · updated 2026-11-03

# Joseph Cornell (1903–1972)

## What is Joseph Cornell’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 293 auction results for Joseph Cornell at 25 houses since 1997. Over the last 24 months the median price was $22,960 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,760–$89,075, n=28). The auction record is $7,781,000 for Medici Slot Machine (2014, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 8 | $281,000 |
| Other | 142 | $69,025 |
| Works on paper | 80 | $31,969 |
| Photographs | 9 | $18,750 |
| Prints | 38 | $2,196 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $557,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 258 | $33,180 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 293 results from 25 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Joseph Cornell is an American artist with 320 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.

**3 Joseph Cornell works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Joseph Cornell on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joseph-cornell?ref=kg:joseph-cornell) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Joseph Cornell auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joseph-cornell (updated 2026-11-03).

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.