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

# Nesta Nala (1940–2005)

## What is Nesta Nala’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 13 | $295 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Nesta Nala auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/nesta-nala (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.