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

# Margaret Olley (1923–2011)

## What is Margaret Olley’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 319 auction results for Margaret Olley at 9 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,753 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,299–$44,065, n=70). The auction record is $151,660 for HARBOUR VIEW, BOTTLEBRUSH AND KELIM (2024, Deutscher and Hackett). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HARBOUR VIEW, BOTTLEBRUSH AND KELIM, c.1999 | Oil on composition board | $151,660 | Deutscher and Hackett | Nov 2024 |
| 2 | Still Life with Harbour View, c.1995 | Oil on composition board | $147,326 | Deutscher and Hackett | Jun 2026 |
| 3 | HARBOUR VIEW, BOTTLEBRUSH AND KELIM, c.1999 | Oil on composition board | $139,574 | Deutscher and Hackett | Nov 2024 |
| 4 | Harbour View, Bottlebrush and Kelim, 1999 | Oil on composition board | $138,934 | Deutscher and Hackett | Nov 2024 |
| 5 | Day Interior, Yellow Room, 1998 | Oil on composition board | $113,309 | Smith & Singer | Nov 2024 |
| 6 | PLUMBAGO, 2000 | Oil on composition board | $108,774 | Deutscher and Hackett | Apr 2011 |
| 7 | Plums and Zinnias, 1975 | Oil on composition board | $103,558 | Smith & Singer | Aug 2022 |
| 8 | HAWKESBURY WILDFLOWERS WITH LEMONS, 1971 | Oil on composition board | $102,743 | Deutscher and Hackett | Aug 2012 |
| 9 | Zinnias and Plums, 1985 | Painting | $98,617 | Bonhams | Sep 2020 |
| 10 | Still Life and Window (Night), 1998 | Oil on composition board | $96,954 | Smith & Singer | Nov 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 98 | $39,232 |
| Works on paper | 17 | $2,943 |
| Prints | 26 | $2,391 |
| Other | 27 | $497 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $58,004 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 132 | $23,677 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $2,889 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 319 results from 9 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Margaret Olley is an Australian artist with 417 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $26,740. 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 Margaret Olley sold in 2026 for $51,616, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Margaret Olley work worth?

Across 310 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Margaret Olley work is $26,740.

The median Margaret Olley painting sells for $37,921 across 194 lots.

The median Margaret Olley print sells for $2,059 across 60 lots.

The median Margaret Olley work on paper sells for $2,918 across 34 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Margaret Olley paintings typically sell for $29,218–$61,037 (the middle half of 163 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Margaret Olley prints typically sell for $331–$3,048 (the middle half of 57 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 | 100 | $2,059† | $5,658 | 60% | 2026-09-09 |
| Paintings | 232 | $37,921†‡ | $151,660 | 83.6% | 2026-08-27 |
| Works on Paper | 41 | $2,918†‡ | $18,923 | 82.9% | 2025-12-10 |
| Photography | 3 | $956† | $1,769† | 66.7% | 2026-04-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 16 | $110,277†‡ | $151,660 | — | 2026-06-17 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Margaret Olley's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (100 lots) median $2,059 with 60% sell-through. Paintings (232 lots) median $37,921, record $151,660. A typical Margaret Olley painting sells for around 18× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 16 lots) the median is $110,277.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 57 | $331–$3,048† | $2,124† | $5,658 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $3,088–$7,001† | $3,710† | $18,160† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 163 | $29,218–$61,037†‡ | $38,954†‡ | $151,660 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $42,303–$64,085†‡ | $58,841†‡ | $68,207‡ |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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) | 16 | $1,475–$3,238† | $1,684† | $4,569† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 18 | $2,643–$5,995†‡ | $3,623†‡ | $18,923 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 | 2024 | $151,660 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $147,326 |
| Works on Paper | 2003 | $18,923 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $16,334 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $5,658 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $4,700† |
| Photography | 2021 | $1,769† |
| Photography | 2026 | $143 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Margaret Olley worth?

Across 310 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Margaret Olley work is $26,740. The median Margaret Olley painting sells for $37,921 across 194 lots. The median Margaret Olley print sells for $2,059 across 60 lots. The median Margaret Olley work on paper sells for $2,918 across 34 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Margaret Olley paintings typically sell for $29,218–$61,037 (the middle half of 163 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Margaret Olley prints typically sell for $331–$3,048 (the middle half of 57 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 Margaret Olley painting?

Based on 194 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Margaret Olley painting is $37,921. 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 Margaret Olley's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Margaret Olley painting is $151,660.

### What is the average price of a Margaret Olley print?

Based on 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Margaret Olley print is $2,059. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Margaret Olley's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Margaret Olley print is $5,658.

### What is the average price of a Margaret Olley work on paper?

Based on 34 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Margaret Olley work on paper is $2,918. 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 Margaret Olley's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Margaret Olley work on paper is $18,923.

### What is the average price of a medium Margaret Olley painting?

Based on 163 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Margaret Olley painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $38,954, 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 medium Margaret Olley print?

Based on 57 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Margaret Olley print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,124, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Margaret Olley's auction record?

Margaret Olley's auction record is $151,660, set in 2024.

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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, “Margaret Olley auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/margaret-olley (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.