Oliver Messel (1904–1978)
What is Oliver Messel’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 46 auction results for Oliver Messel at 10 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,962 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,578–$2,980, n=24). The auction record is $13,621 for Eight costume designs, to include three from Gigi, 1973 (2025, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 9 | $1,721 |
| Works on paper | 30 | $1,533 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 13 | $1,721 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 27 | $1,432 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 46 results from 10 houses · How we compute these figures
Oliver Messel is a British (modern) artist with 62 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $1,703. 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 Oliver Messel sold in 2026 for $1,882, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Oliver Messel record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Oliver Messel on OpeningBid →What is a Oliver Messel work worth?
Across 45 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Oliver Messel work is $1,703.
The median Oliver Messel painting sells for $2,043 across 18 lots.
The median Oliver Messel work on paper sells for $977 across 12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 19 | $2,043 | $13,621 | 94.7% | 2025-06-03 |
| Works on Paper | 12 | $977†‡ | $4,767 | — | 2025-10-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $9,364 | $13,621 | — | 2025-06-03 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $1,022–$2,469 | $2,043 | $13,621 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $1,788–$3,587 | $2,554 | $6,696 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $714–$2,082† | $1,318† | $4,767 |
† 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 | $13,621 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $7,151 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $4,767 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $3,739 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Oliver Messel worth?
Across 45 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Oliver Messel work is $1,703. The median Oliver Messel painting sells for $2,043 across 18 lots. The median Oliver Messel work on paper sells for $977 across 12 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 Oliver Messel painting?
Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Oliver Messel painting is $2,043.
What is Oliver Messel's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Oliver Messel painting is $13,621.
What is the average price of a Oliver Messel work on paper?
Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Oliver Messel work on paper is $977. 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 Oliver Messel's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Oliver Messel work on paper is $4,767.
What is the average price of a small Oliver Messel painting?
Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Oliver Messel painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,043, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Oliver Messel's auction record?
Oliver Messel's auction record is $13,621, set in 2025.
See the full Oliver Messel record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Oliver Messel on OpeningBid →