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

# Joseph Tilson (1928–2023)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 115 auction results for Joseph Tilson at 20 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,507 including buyer’s premium (middle half $452–$36,609, n=6). The auction record is $273,231 for Gagarin, Star, Triangle (2012, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gagarin, Star, Triangle, 1928 | Relief | $273,231 | Christie's | Dec 2012 |
| 2 | Geometry? 3, 1964 | Acrylic paint | $64,182 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 3 | Conquer, 1928 | Oil paint | $50,115 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 4 | The Glorious Walk through the Cosmos, 1967 | Acrylic paint | $47,292 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 5 | Collage Double Triptych 15/W, 1928 | Oil paint | $15,884 | Christie's | Dec 2008 |
| 6 | Original Designs for New York Decal Print 1 and 2, 1928 | The one pencil and gouache; the other mixed media | $10,393 | Christie's | Jul 2013 |
| 7 | Study for Artecasa, 1928 | Mixed media | $9,081 | Christie's | Dec 2012 |
| 8 | Demeter (project 1) oak, 1928 | Mixed media | $8,553 | Bonhams | Nov 2015 |
| 9 | Earthcube G, 1982 | Earth pigments on wood relief | $6,425 | Christie's | Jun 2000 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A-Z box...Fragments of an Oneiric Alphabet, 1928 | Screenprint | $6,979 | Bonhams | Jun 2016 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $3,738 |
| Other | 13 | $2,024 |
| Prints | 49 | $838 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $3,746 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 15 | $1,102 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 43 | $795 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 115 results from 20 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Joseph Tilson is a British (modern) artist with 175 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $876. 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 Joseph Tilson sold in 2026 for $4,560, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Joseph Tilson work worth?

Across 114 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Tilson work is $876.

The median Joseph Tilson print sells for $765 across 88 lots.

The median Joseph Tilson painting sells for $3,314 across 11 lots.

The median Joseph Tilson sculpture sells for $4,560 across 6 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Joseph Tilson prints typically sell for $451–$1,368 (the middle half of 65 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 | 131 | $765†‡ | $10,463‡ | 67.2% | 2025-07-15 |
| Paintings | 19 | $3,314 | $273,231 | 57.9% | 2026-03-19 |
| Works on Paper | 7 | $905 | $2,375 | 42.9% | 2021-12-01 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 9 | $4,560 | $47,292 | 66.7% | 2026-03-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $48,704‡ | $273,231 | — | 2026-03-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Joseph Tilson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (131 lots) median $765 with 67.2% sell-through. Paintings (19 lots) median $3,314, record $273,231. A typical Joseph Tilson painting sells for around 4.3× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $48,704.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $347–$1,199†‡ | $642†‡ | $8,112‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 65 | $451–$1,368†‡ | $795†‡ | $10,463‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $335–$475†‡ | $401†‡ | $1,458 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $3,742–$60,666 | $26,934 | $273,231 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2012 | $273,231 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $64,182 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $47,292 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $10,463‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $8,112‡ |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2000 | $6,425 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $2,375 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $905 |

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

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 Tilson worth?

Across 114 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Tilson work is $876. The median Joseph Tilson print sells for $765 across 88 lots. The median Joseph Tilson painting sells for $3,314 across 11 lots. The median Joseph Tilson sculpture sells for $4,560 across 6 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Joseph Tilson prints typically sell for $451–$1,368 (the middle half of 65 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 Joseph Tilson print?

Based on 88 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Tilson print is $765. 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 Joseph Tilson's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Tilson print is $10,463. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Joseph Tilson painting?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Tilson painting is $3,314.

### What is Joseph Tilson's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Tilson painting is $273,231.

### What is the average price of a medium Joseph Tilson print?

Based on 65 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Joseph Tilson print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $795, 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 small Joseph Tilson print?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joseph Tilson print (small (under 50 cm)) is $642, 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 Joseph Tilson's auction record?

Joseph Tilson's auction record is $273,231, set in 2012.

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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, “Joseph Tilson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joseph-tilson (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.