> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/masanao-2 · updated 2026-11-03

# Masanao

## What is Masanao’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 76 auction results for Masanao at 22 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,679 including buyer’s premium (middle half $822–$20,426, n=12). The auction record is $117,340 for Baigai (Japanese Babylon Sea Snail) (2026, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baigai (Japanese Babylon Sea Snail), 18th century | Boxwood | $117,340 | Bonhams | Mar 2026 |
| 2 | Baigai (Japanese Babylon Sea Snail), 1868 | Boxwood | $117,300 | Bonhams | Mar 2026 |
| 3 | Un ensemble d'objets en ivoire et métal Japon, époque Edo, XVIII et XIXE siècles, Edo period | Ivory and metal | $58,041 | Sotheby's | Jun 2009 |
| 4 | NETSUKE EN BOIS REPRÉSENTANT CINQ CRAPAUDS Par Masanao, Ise, province de Yamada, début du XIXe siècle | Netsuke | $35,623 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Jun 2026 |
| 5 | Three Tadpoles, 18th century | Netsuke | $15,360 | Bonhams | Mar 2026 |
| 6 | Three Tadpoles, 1868 | Netsuke | $15,300 | Bonhams | Mar 2026 |
| 7 | A WOOD NETSUKE | Netsuke | $4,126 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 8 | Two Wood Netsuke | Netsuke | $4,126 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 9 | Four wood netsuke and a wood carving, 1868 | Netsuke | $4,100 | Bonhams | Nov 2017 |
| 10 | Netsuke en bois représentant un sanglier, par Masanao, Japon | Wood, dark horn inlay, ink | $3,866 | De Baecque et Associés | Jun 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 26 | $2,070 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $2,084 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 76 results from 22 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Masanao is a Japanese artist with 108 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $1,076. 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 Masanao sold in 2026 for $2,057, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Masanao work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Masanao on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/masanao-2?ref=kg:masanao-2) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Masanao work worth?

Across 70 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Masanao work is $1,076.

The median Masanao sculpture sells for $701 across 12 lots.

The median Masanao work on paper sells for $3,866 across 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 1 | $3,866 | $3,866 | — | 2023-06-16 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 12 | $701†‡ | $4,743‡ | — | 2026-04-02 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $87,671 | $117,340 | — | 2026-06-09 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $515–$2,164†‡ | $652†‡ | $4,743‡ |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2016 | $4,743‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $3,866 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $3,302 |

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

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 Masanao worth?

Across 70 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Masanao work is $1,076. The median Masanao sculpture sells for $701 across 12 lots. The median Masanao work on paper sells for $3,866 across 1 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 Masanao sculpture?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Masanao sculpture is $701. 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 Masanao's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Masanao sculpture is $4,743. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is Masanao's auction record?

Masanao's auction record is $58,041, set in 2009.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Masanao auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/masanao-2 (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.