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

# Nick Cave (b. 1959)

## What is Nick Cave’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 37 auction results for Nick Cave at 11 houses since 2013. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,760 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,014–$96,200, n=10). The auction record is $228,600 for Soundsuit (2026, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soundsuit, 2008 | Wove | $228,600 | Christie's | Feb 2026 |
| 2 | Soundsuit, 2010 | Mixed media | $190,500 | Phillips | May 2025 |
| 3 | Soundsuit, 2009 | Mixed media | $189,000 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 4 | Soundsuit, 2007 | Mixed media including vintage textiles, sequined appliqués, mannequin and metal base | $170,100 | Christie's | Oct 2024 |
| 5 | Soundsuit, 2017 | Wool | $144,900 | Sotheby's | Nov 2022 |
| 6 | Soundsuit, 2009 | Basket | $137,500 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 7 | Tondo, 2012 | Tondo | $125,000 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 8 | Soundsuit, 2006 | Mixed media including vintage textile and sequined appliqués, metal and mannequin | $107,100 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |
| 9 | Soundsuit, 2011 | Twigs, wire, basket, upholstery, metal and mannequin | $106,250 | Christie's | Sep 2019 |
| 10 | Soundsuit, 2015 | Twig, wire, metal, fabric and mannequin, on painted wooden base | $101,623 | Phillips | Oct 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 20 | $100,998 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $100,998 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $4,345 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 37 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Nick Cave is an American artist with 37 auction lots recorded since 2013, median price $42,700. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Nick Cave sold in 2026 for $228,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Nick Cave work worth?

Across 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nick Cave work is $42,700.

The median Nick Cave print sells for $1,105 across 5 lots.

The median Nick Cave photograph sells for $2,051 across 2 lots.

The median Nick Cave sculpture sells for $34,000 across 2 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 | 5 | $1,105† | $2,600 | — | 2026-10-20 |
| Paintings | 1 | $818 | $818 | — | 2026-06-29 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $4,445 | $4,445 | — | 2014-09-23 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $34,000† | $62,500 | — | 2025-01-16 |
| Photography | 2 | $2,051 | $3,770 | — | 2025-04-29 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $131,250 | $228,600 | — | 2026-02-26 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Nick Cave's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $1,105. Paintings (1 lots) median $818, record $818. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 12 lots) the median is $131,250.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $62,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $5,500† |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $4,445 |
| Photography | 2022 | $3,770 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $2,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $1,600 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $818 |
| Photography | 2025 | $333 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Nick Cave worth?

Across 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nick Cave work is $42,700. The median Nick Cave print sells for $1,105 across 5 lots. The median Nick Cave photograph sells for $2,051 across 2 lots. The median Nick Cave sculpture sells for $34,000 across 2 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Nick Cave's auction record?

Nick Cave's auction record is $228,600, set in 2026.

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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, “Nick Cave auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/nick-cave (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.