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

# Nalini Malani (b. 1946)

## What is Nalini Malani’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 51 auction results for Nalini Malani at 6 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $46,557 including buyer’s premium (middle half $7,645–$131,892, n=8). The auction record is $302,400 for Love (2024, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Love, 1990 | Acrylic paint | $302,400 | Christie's | Mar 2024 |
| 2 | Mother India/Courage I (Red Babies), 2005 | Reverse painting in acrylic and enamel on acrylic sheet | $281,600 | Christie's | Sep 2026 |
| 3 | And Do I Dare?, 2012 | Acrylic, ink and enamel reverse painting on acrylic sheet | $277,968 | Saffronart | Jun 2025 |
| 4 | Manipulating Reality, 1988 | Oil paint | $122,500 | Christie's | Sep 2010 |
| 5 | Child Performer II, 1975 | Oil on canvas laid on board | $98,062 | Pundole's | Oct 2024 |
| 6 | Broken Alice II, 2005 | Painted on reverse of transparent acrylic sheet | $97,000 | Christie's | Mar 2008 |
| 7 | Intrusion, 1999 | Reverse painting in watercolor and enamel on mylar | $83,200 | Christie's | Sep 2026 |
| 8 | Father & Child, 1988 | Oil paint | $75,600 | Christie's | Mar 2025 |
| 9 | Broken #2, 2009 | Enamel | $75,000 | Christie's | Sep 2020 |
| 10 | Sita/Medea 1, 2004 | Enamel | $49,290 | Christie's | Jun 2009 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 17 | $49,290 |
| Works on paper | 10 | $3,485 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $97,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 9 | $25,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $4,410 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 51 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Nalini Malani is an Indian artist with 63 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $12,286. 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 Nalini Malani sold in 2026 for $281,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Nalini Malani work worth?

Across 51 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nalini Malani work is $12,286.

The median Nalini Malani painting sells for $36,269 across 22 lots.

The median Nalini Malani work on paper sells for $10,055 across 18 lots.

The median Nalini Malani print sells for $1,134 across 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 4 | $1,134‡ | $1,621 | 75% | 2026-09-12 |
| Paintings | 25 | $36,269† | $302,400 | 88% | 2026-09-16 |
| Works on Paper | 18 | $10,055† | $83,200 | — | 2026-09-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $279,784 | $302,400 | — | 2026-09-16 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Nalini Malani's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (4 lots) median $1,134 with 75% sell-through. Paintings (25 lots) median $36,269, record $302,400. A typical Nalini Malani painting sells for around 32× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $279,784.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $12,881–$62,692† | $25,000† | $98,062 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $17,221–$277,968† | $97,000† | $302,400 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $2,772–$9,951† | $4,410† | $17,515 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $6,376–$14,185† | $10,055† | $83,200 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2024 | $302,400 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $281,600 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $83,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $49,290 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $1,621 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $1,134 |

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 Nalini Malani worth?

Across 51 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nalini Malani work is $12,286. The median Nalini Malani painting sells for $36,269 across 22 lots. The median Nalini Malani work on paper sells for $10,055 across 18 lots. The median Nalini Malani print sells for $1,134 across 3 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 Nalini Malani painting?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nalini Malani painting is $36,269. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Nalini Malani's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Nalini Malani painting is $302,400.

### What is the average price of a Nalini Malani work on paper?

Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nalini Malani work on paper is $10,055. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Nalini Malani's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Nalini Malani work on paper is $83,200.

### What is the average price of a medium Nalini Malani painting?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Nalini Malani painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $25,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Nalini Malani's auction record?

Nalini Malani's auction record is $302,400, set in 2024.

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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, “Nalini Malani auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/nalini-malani (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.