Matthew Boulton (1728–1809)
What is Matthew Boulton’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 67 auction results for Matthew Boulton at 18 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $27,940 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,440–$55,245, n=12). The auction record is $101,600 for A PAIR OF GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN CANDLE-VASES (2026, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A PAIR OF GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN CANDLE-VASES, circa 1770 | Ormolu-mounted Blue John | $101,600 | Christie's | Feb 2026 |
| 2 | A GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN LYRE VASE PERFUME BURNER, 1780 | Ormolu | $97,139 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 3 | A GEORGE III ORMOLU AND BLUE JOHN TWO-LIGHT VASE CANDELABRUM | Bronze | $88,900 | Christie's | Feb 2026 |
| 4 | A PAIR OF GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE-JOHN CANDLE VASES | Ormolu-mounted Blue John | $81,250 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 5 | A GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN, SIMULATED LAPIS LAZULI AND EBONY 'SPHINX' VASE PERFUME-BURNER, 1769 | With pierced fruited lid and campana body with guilloche band displaying four foliate lion masks, the plinth with swagged simulated lapis lazuli glass panels and recumbent sphinx supports over the base with ebony panels overlaid with scrolling foliage, parts variously notched with numerals I, II, III or IIII throughout | $76,200 | Christie's | Feb 2026 |
| 6 | A PAIR OF GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN CASSOLETTES, 1772 | Ormolu-mounted Blue John | $61,585 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 7 | A PAIR OF GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN TWO-LIGHT VASE CANDELABRA, circa 1770 | Ormolu-mounted blue john | $57,559 | Christie's | Jun 2006 |
| 8 | A PAIR OF GEORGE III ORMOLU AND WHITE MARBLE PERFUME-BURNERS | Marble | $56,772 | Christie's | Jul 2016 |
| 9 | A PAIR OF GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN 'GOAT'S HEAD' CANDLE VASES | Ormolu-mounted Blue John | $54,465 | Christie's | Jan 2021 |
| 10 | A PAIR OF GEORGE III ORMOLU-MOUNTED BLUE JOHN AND WHITE MARBLE VASE PERFUME-BURNERS, circa 1772 | Marble | $48,260 | Christie's | Feb 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 24 | $25,324 |
| Sculpture | 27 | $18,722 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 46 | $24,773 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 67 results from 18 houses · How we compute these figures
Matthew Boulton is an English artist with 68 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $20,822. 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 Matthew Boulton sold in 2026 for $48,260, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Matthew Boulton work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Matthew Boulton free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Matthew Boulton record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Matthew Boulton on OpeningBid →What is a Matthew Boulton work worth?
Across 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Matthew Boulton work is $20,822.
The median Matthew Boulton sculpture sells for $16,663 across 20 lots.
The median Matthew Boulton work on paper sells for $236 across 2 lots.
The median Matthew Boulton painting sells for $76,200 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 1 | $76,200 | $76,200 | — | 2026-02-11 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $236†‡ | $249‡ | — | 2023-05-23 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 21 | $16,663‡ | $97,139 | 95.2% | 2026-02-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $93,019 | $101,600 | — | 2026-02-11 |
† 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) | 18 | $7,213–$37,281‡ | $16,663‡ | $97,139 |
‡ 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 | 2018 | $97,139 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $76,200 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2016 | $56,772 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $249‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $223† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Matthew Boulton worth?
Across 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Matthew Boulton work is $20,822. The median Matthew Boulton sculpture sells for $16,663 across 20 lots. The median Matthew Boulton work on paper sells for $236 across 2 lots. The median Matthew Boulton painting sells for $76,200 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 Matthew Boulton sculpture?
Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Matthew Boulton sculpture is $16,663. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Matthew Boulton's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Matthew Boulton sculpture is $97,139.
What is the average price of a small Matthew Boulton sculpture?
Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Matthew Boulton sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $16,663, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Matthew Boulton's auction record?
Matthew Boulton's auction record is $101,600, set in 2026.
See the full Matthew Boulton record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Matthew Boulton on OpeningBid →