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

# Nelson Makamo (b. 1982)

## What is Nelson Makamo’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 95 auction results for Nelson Makamo at 7 houses since 2016. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,359 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,391–$7,078, n=35). The auction record is $27,264 for Untitled (Young Girl in Blue) (2025, Strauss and Co). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (Young Girl in Blue) | Oil and gold leaf on canvas | $27,264 | Strauss and Co | Mar 2025 |
| 2 | Portrait of a Boy, 2016 | Oil on canvas | $23,874 | Strauss and Co | May 2024 |
| 3 | Portrait of a Child, 2017 | Charcoal and ink on paper | $21,961 | Strauss and Co | Sep 2025 |
| 4 | Untitled Portfolio, ten | Digital print on paper | $18,670 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2024 |
| 5 | Sans titre, 2021 | Sgné et daté en bas à droite "Nelson M | $17,314 | Artcurial | Jun 2021 |
| 6 | Child with Red Glasses, 2022 | Charcoal and mixed media on paper | $16,632 | Strauss and Co | Jul 2025 |
| 7 | PORTRAIT OF A CHILD, 2016 | Mixed media on paper | $15,450 | Sotheby's | Mar 2020 |
| 8 | Head | Charcoal on paper | $15,309 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2019 |
| 9 | Girl with Green Glasses | Oil on canvas | $13,995 | Strauss and Co | Mar 2019 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Child with Red Glasses, 2018 | Monotype on paper | $19,402 | Strauss and Co | May 2025 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $11,270 |
| Other | 5 | $3,960 |
| Prints | 17 | $3,082 |
| Works on paper | 28 | $1,872 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $17,355 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 25 | $6,987 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 15 | $1,290 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 95 results from 7 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Nelson Makamo is a South African artist with 106 auction lots recorded since 2016, median price $4,343. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Nelson Makamo sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $12,891 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Nelson Makamo work worth?

Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nelson Makamo work is $4,343.

The median Nelson Makamo work on paper sells for $3,857 across 49 lots.

The median Nelson Makamo print sells for $3,676 across 23 lots.

The median Nelson Makamo painting sells for $11,366 across 9 lots.

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 24 | $3,676† | $19,402 | 95.8% | 2026-05-26 |
| Paintings | 10 | $11,366 | $27,264 | 90% | 2025-09-30 |
| Works on Paper | 50 | $3,857† | $21,961 | 98% | 2026-06-18 |
| Photography | 1 | — | — | — | 2019-10-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $22,917 | $27,264 | — | 2025-09-16 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Nelson Makamo's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (24 lots) median $3,676 with 95.8% sell-through. Paintings (10 lots) median $11,366, record $27,264. A typical Nelson Makamo painting sells for around 3.1× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $22,917.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $2,907–$7,116† | $4,515† | $18,670 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $405–$1,526 | $1,174 | $2,034 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $5,436–$13,252† | $8,683† | $16,632 |

† 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 | 2025 | $27,264 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $23,874 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $21,961 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $19,402 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $18,670 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $16,632 |

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 Nelson Makamo worth?

Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nelson Makamo work is $4,343. The median Nelson Makamo work on paper sells for $3,857 across 49 lots. The median Nelson Makamo print sells for $3,676 across 23 lots. The median Nelson Makamo painting sells for $11,366 across 9 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Nelson Makamo work on paper?

Based on 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nelson Makamo work on paper is $3,857. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Nelson Makamo's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Nelson Makamo work on paper is $21,961.

### What is the average price of a Nelson Makamo print?

Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nelson Makamo print is $3,676. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Nelson Makamo's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Nelson Makamo print is $19,402.

### What is the average price of a medium Nelson Makamo work on paper?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Nelson Makamo work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,683, 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 medium Nelson Makamo print?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Nelson Makamo print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,515, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Nelson Makamo's auction record?

Nelson Makamo's auction record is $27,264, set in 2025.

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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, “Nelson Makamo auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/nelson-makamo (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.