Mario Mafai (1902–1965)
What is Mario Mafai’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 75 auction results for Mario Mafai at 13 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,451 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,056–$5,659, n=9). The auction record is $196,974 for Natura morta con manichino, maschera e abito rosso (recto); donna in abito da sera (verso) (2007, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natura morta con manichino, maschera e abito rosso (recto); donna in abito da sera (verso), 1940 | Oil paint | $196,974 | Christie's | Oct 2007 |
| 2 | Osteria romana (Osteria di Via Flaminia), 1949-50 | Oil on canvas | $79,716 | Il Ponte Casa d'Aste | May 2021 |
| 3 | Il caffé | Olio su tela | $50,250 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 4 | Nudo Seduto, 1939 | Oil paint | $36,367 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |
| 5 | Paesaggio romano, 1902 | 'ROMAN LANDSCAPE'; SIGNED (LOWER RIGHT AND LOWER LEFT); OIL ON CANVAS | $22,218 | Christie's | Oct 2006 |
| 6 | Luce d'autunno, 1931 | Olio su tavola | $13,072 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Apr 2013 |
| 7 | Vase of dried flowers - Tromboni, 1950 | Oil on canvasboard | $11,785 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Nov 1997 |
| 8 | I tetti di Via Margutta, 1943 | Olio su tela | $11,199 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Dec 2025 |
| 9 | Mercato, 1956 | Mercato, 1956 olio su tela | $10,968 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | May 2018 |
| 10 | La strada, 1952 | Oil on canvas | $10,185 | Il Ponte Casa d'Aste | May 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 38 | $5,633 |
| Other | 10 | $996 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $705 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 20 | $8,536 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 32 | $1,341 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 75 results from 13 houses · How we compute these figures
Mario Mafai is an Italian artist with 158 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $4,279. 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 Mario Mafai sold in 2026 for $4,422, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Mario Mafai work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Mario Mafai free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Mario Mafai record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Mario Mafai on OpeningBid →What is a Mario Mafai work worth?
Across 75 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Mario Mafai work is $4,279.
The median Mario Mafai painting sells for $5,633 across 49 lots.
The median Mario Mafai work on paper sells for $1,042 across 17 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Mario Mafai paintings typically sell for $4,386–$11,141 (the middle half of 22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 64 | $5,633† | $196,974 | 76.6% | 2026-05-28 |
| Works on Paper | 28 | $1,042 | $2,304 | 60.7% | 2025-12-04 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $64,983‡ | $196,974 | — | 2021-05-25 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $1,470–$7,091† | $4,422† | $11,785 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 22 | $4,386–$11,141† | $8,536† | $196,974 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $568–$1,414 | $1,078 | $2,304 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2007 | $196,974 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $79,716 |
| Works on Paper | 1995 | $2,304 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $1,971 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Mario Mafai worth?
Across 75 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Mario Mafai work is $4,279. The median Mario Mafai painting sells for $5,633 across 49 lots. The median Mario Mafai work on paper sells for $1,042 across 17 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Mario Mafai paintings typically sell for $4,386–$11,141 (the middle half of 22 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 Mario Mafai painting?
Based on 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mario Mafai painting is $5,633. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Mario Mafai's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Mario Mafai painting is $196,974.
What is the average price of a Mario Mafai work on paper?
Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mario Mafai work on paper is $1,042.
What is Mario Mafai's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Mario Mafai work on paper is $2,304.
What is the average price of a medium Mario Mafai painting?
Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Mario Mafai painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,536, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a small Mario Mafai painting?
Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Mario Mafai painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,422, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Mario Mafai's auction record?
Mario Mafai's auction record is $196,974, set in 2007.
See the full Mario Mafai record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Mario Mafai on OpeningBid →