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

# Maria Lai (1919–2013)

## What is Maria Lai’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 194 auction results for Maria Lai at 9 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,529 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,017–$6,543, n=14). The auction record is $194,773 for Lenzuolo (Bed Sheet) (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lenzuolo (Bed Sheet), 1989 | Thread and fabric laid down on fabric | $194,773 | Christie's | Oct 2018 |
| 2 | Senza titolo (stoffa, filo, lana e legno), 1978 | Stoffa, filo, lana e legno | $124,536 | Christie's | Nov 2020 |
| 3 | Al volger della spola, 1995 | Tempera, thread and fabric | $123,297 | Christie's | Oct 2019 |
| 4 | I LUOGHI INVISIBILI, 1988 | Embroidery, threads and pigment on fabric | $75,109 | Sotheby's | Nov 2020 |
| 5 | Senza titolo (ricamo su tavola dipinta), 2008 | Embroidery | $46,290 | Sotheby's | Jul 2021 |
| 6 | Duemila Natali di guerra, 2005 | Pennarello, filo e stoffa | $45,472 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 7 | Libro dei telai, 1919 | 'BOOK OF LOOMS'; TITLED UPPER LEFT, SIGNED LOWER CENTRE; THREAD AND INK ON PAPER, TWENTY PAGES | $45,203 | Christie's | Jun 2005 |
| 8 | DIARIO N. 3 | Null | $45,065 | Sotheby's | Nov 2020 |
| 9 | Autobiografia, 1979 | Thread and fabric in artist's frame | $36,540 | Christie's | Apr 2019 |
| 10 | Diario di Renato, 2007 | Stitched bed sheet, embroidery and black thread on board | $34,860 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Nov 2015 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 21 | $5,609 |
| Other | 112 | $4,886 |
| Paintings | 8 | $3,691 |
| Works on paper | 11 | $3,486 |
| Prints | 12 | $430 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $45,472 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 121 | $4,531 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 26 | $3,428 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 194 results from 9 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Maria Lai is an Italian artist with 413 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $4,588. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Maria Lai sold in 2025 for $6,020, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 Maria Lai works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Maria Lai on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/maria-lai?ref=kg:maria-lai) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Maria Lai work worth?

Across 194 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Maria Lai work is $4,588.

The median Maria Lai print sells for $570 across 33 lots.

The median Maria Lai work on paper sells for $4,148 across 26 lots.

The median Maria Lai painting sells for $3,975 across 9 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 | 43 | $570 | $28,152 | 76.7% | 2024-06-27 |
| Paintings | 10 | $3,975 | $22,733 | 90% | 2025-12-04 |
| Works on Paper | 32 | $4,148 | $45,203 | 81.3% | 2026-06-09 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 7 | $16,989 | $29,333 | 42.9% | 2023-12-06 |
| Photography | 2 | $1,358 | $1,358 | — | 2020-09-25 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 9 | $46,290 | $194,773 | — | 2021-11-16 |

Maria Lai's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (43 lots) median $570 with 76.7% sell-through. Paintings (10 lots) median $3,975, record $22,733. A typical Maria Lai painting sells for around 7.0× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 9 lots) the median is $46,290.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $320–$827 | $597 | $19,003 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $290–$711 | $570 | $28,152 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $2,023–$6,142 | $3,573 | $45,203 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $45,203 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $29,333 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $28,152 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $22,733 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $19,003 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $17,548 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $8,312 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2015 | $4,644 |

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 Maria Lai worth?

Across 194 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Maria Lai work is $4,588. The median Maria Lai print sells for $570 across 33 lots. The median Maria Lai work on paper sells for $4,148 across 26 lots. The median Maria Lai painting sells for $3,975 across 9 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Maria Lai print?

Based on 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Maria Lai print is $570.

### What is Maria Lai's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Maria Lai print is $28,152.

### What is the average price of a Maria Lai work on paper?

Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Maria Lai work on paper is $4,148.

### What is Maria Lai's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Maria Lai work on paper is $45,203.

### What is the average price of a small Maria Lai print?

Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Maria Lai print (small (under 50 cm)) is $597, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Maria Lai work on paper?

Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Maria Lai work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,573, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Maria Lai's auction record?

Maria Lai's auction record is $194,773, set in 2018.

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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, “Maria Lai auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/maria-lai (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.