Lea Nikel (1918–2005)
What is Lea Nikel’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 330 auction results for Lea Nikel at 7 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,440 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,360–$14,160, n=25). The auction record is $88,550 for Untitled (acrylic on canvas) (2014, Tiroche). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1985 | Acrylic on canvas | $88,550 | Tiroche | Jun 2014 |
| 2 | Eros, 1956 | Oil on canvas | $74,750 | Tiroche | Jun 2017 |
| 3 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1995 | Acrylic on canvas | $51,920 | Tiroche | May 2022 |
| 4 | Studio Interior, 1951 | Oil on canvas | $47,200 | Tiroche | Jun 2018 |
| 5 | Untitled, 1981 | Acrylic on canvas | $43,700 | Tiroche | Jun 2014 |
| 6 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1983 | Acrylic on canvas | $42,480 | Tiroche | Jul 2025 |
| 7 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1992 | Acrylic on canvas | $40,120 | Tiroche | Jan 2019 |
| 8 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1994 | Acrylic on canvas | $39,100 | Tiroche | Jan 2018 |
| 9 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1964 | Oil on canvas | $31,050 | Tiroche | Jan 2017 |
| 10 | Untitled | Oil on canvas | $30,680 | Tiroche | Jun 2022 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 158 | $10,463 |
| Works on paper | 30 | $1,282 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 36 | $20,380 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 101 | $9,440 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 52 | $2,070 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 330 results from 7 houses · How we compute these figures
Lea Nikel is an Israeli artist with 393 auction lots recorded since 2001, median price $8,260. 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 Lea Nikel sold in 2026 for $18,880, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Lea Nikel record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Lea Nikel on OpeningBid →What is a Lea Nikel work worth?
Across 327 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lea Nikel work is $8,260.
The median Lea Nikel painting sells for $10,000 across 267 lots.
The median Lea Nikel work on paper sells for $1,165 across 46 lots.
The median Lea Nikel print sells for $177 across 3 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Lea Nikel paintings typically sell for $4,248–$14,160 (the middle half of 153 sold lots).
Large (over 120 cm) Lea Nikel paintings typically sell for $15,700–$29,505 (the middle half of 58 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 | 5 | $177 | $201 | 60% | 2019-07-28 |
| Paintings | 305 | $10,000‡ | $88,550 | 87.5% | 2026-06-28 |
| Works on Paper | 51 | $1,165‡ | $10,030 | 90.2% | 2026-07-05 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $2,600‡ | $3,068 | — | 2026-06-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 17 | $42,480‡ | $88,550 | — | 2025-07-06 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Lea Nikel's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $177 with 60% sell-through. Paintings (305 lots) median $10,000, record $88,550. A typical Lea Nikel painting sells for around 56× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 17 lots) the median is $42,480.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 56 | $1,782–$5,000‡ | $3,658‡ | $17,700 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 153 | $4,248–$14,160‡ | $10,000‡ | $74,750 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 58 | $15,700–$29,505‡ | $20,970‡ | $88,550 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 29 | $649–$1,380‡ | $1,000‡ | $2,070 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 17 | $1,035–$2,124‡ | $1,800‡ | $10,030 |
‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2014 | $88,550 |
| Paintings | 2014 | $77,000‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $10,030 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $3,068 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $2,760 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $2,600‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $201 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $177 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Lea Nikel worth?
Across 327 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lea Nikel work is $8,260. The median Lea Nikel painting sells for $10,000 across 267 lots. The median Lea Nikel work on paper sells for $1,165 across 46 lots. The median Lea Nikel print sells for $177 across 3 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Lea Nikel paintings typically sell for $4,248–$14,160 (the middle half of 153 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Lea Nikel paintings typically sell for $15,700–$29,505 (the middle half of 58 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 Lea Nikel painting?
Based on 267 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lea Nikel painting is $10,000. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Lea Nikel's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lea Nikel painting is $88,550.
What is the average price of a Lea Nikel work on paper?
Based on 46 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lea Nikel work on paper is $1,165. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Lea Nikel's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lea Nikel work on paper is $10,030.
What is the average price of a medium Lea Nikel painting?
Based on 153 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lea Nikel painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $10,000, 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 large Lea Nikel painting?
Based on 58 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Lea Nikel painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $20,970, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Lea Nikel's auction record?
Lea Nikel's auction record is $88,550, set in 2014.
See the full Lea Nikel record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Lea Nikel on OpeningBid →