Nesta Nala (1940–2005)
What is Nesta Nala’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 20 auction results for Nesta Nala at 3 houses since 2017. Over the last 24 months the median price was $292 including buyer’s premium (middle half $242–$340, n=9). The auction record is $8,023 for A burnished fired clay uphiso (2022, Strauss and Co). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A burnished fired clay uphiso, 1995 | Burnished fired clay | $8,023 | Strauss and Co | Jun 2022 |
| 2 | Ukhamba with geometric pattern, 1996 | Pit-fired and burnished earthenware with relief and incised decoration | $1,604 | Strauss and Co | Jul 2024 |
| 3 | Uphiso with relief decoration | Pit-fired and burnished earthenware with relief and incised decoration | $1,604 | Strauss and Co | Jul 2024 |
| 4 | Ukhamba with incised geometric band design, 1998 | Pit-fired and burnished earthenware with incised decoration | $453 | Strauss and Co | Feb 2026 |
| 5 | Ukhamba with incised and relief rope decoration, 1998 | Pit-fired and burnished with relief and incised decoration | $363 | Strauss and Co | Feb 2026 |
| 6 | Uphiso with relief and incised motif, 2003 | Pit-fired and burnished earthenware with relief and incised decoration | $340 | Strauss and Co | Feb 2026 |
| 7 | Ukhamba with rope and applied motifs | Pit-fired and burnished earthenware with relief and incised decoration | $295 | Strauss and Co | Feb 2026 |
| 8 | Nesta Nala (South Africa, 1940 - 2005 ), Ukhamba with Alternating Abstract and Floral Motif, 1994 | — | $292 | Russell Kaplan Auctioneers | Mar 2026 |
| 9 | Nesta Nala (South Africa, 1940 - 2005 ), Ukhamba | — | $249 | Russell Kaplan Auctioneers | May 2026 |
| 10 | Ukhamba with rope and textured band | Pit-fired and burnished earthenware with relief and incised decoration | $242 | Strauss and Co | Feb 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 13 | $295 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $340 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 20 results from 3 houses · How we compute these figures
Nesta Nala is a South African artist with 20 auction lots recorded since 2017, median price $340.
A work by Nesta Nala sold in 2026 for $340, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Nesta Nala record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Nesta Nala on OpeningBid →What is a Nesta Nala work worth?
Across 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nesta Nala work is $340.
The median Nesta Nala sculpture sells for $363 across 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $363 | $363 | — | 2026-02-10 |
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $363 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Nesta Nala worth?
Across 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nesta Nala work is $340. The median Nesta Nala sculpture sells for $363 across 1 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Nesta Nala's auction record?
Nesta Nala's auction record is $8,023, set in 2022.
See the full Nesta Nala record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Nesta Nala on OpeningBid →