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

# Mario Mafai (1902–1965)

## What is Mario Mafai’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 38 | $5,633 |
| Other | 10 | $996 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $705 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

- [Mario Mafai on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/mario-mafai?ref=kg:mario-mafai) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Mario Mafai auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/mario-mafai (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.