> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/oliver-messel · updated 2026-11-03

# Oliver Messel (1904–1978)

## What is Oliver Messel’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 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.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eight costume designs, to include three from Gigi, 1973, 1904 | Watercolour | $13,621 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |
| 2 | Seven costume designs for opera and ballet, 1904 | Watercolour, gouache and pencil, some with gold/silver paint | $9,364 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |
| 3 | Three designs for the decoration of the exterior of The Dorchester Hotel for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, 1953, 1904 | Watercolour | $7,151 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |
| 4 | Blue Harbour Garden Boy, 1904 | Oil paint | $6,696 | Christie's | Jul 2016 |
| 5 | Four headdress designs for Vivien Leigh as 'Cleopatra' in Ceasar and Cleopatra, 1946, 1904 | Pencil | $4,767 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |
| 6 | A 'Rose' from Der Rosenkavalier, Glyndebourne, 1959, 1904 | Silver | $4,086 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |
| 7 | The Fairy of the Enchanted Garden from The Sleeping Beauty, 1904 | Watercolour | $3,746 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |
| 8 | A skewbald pony with red ribbons, 1904 | Oil paint | $3,739 | Christie's | Dec 2016 |
| 9 | Portrait sketch of a young man, 1904 | Oil paint | $3,427 | Christie's | Dec 2016 |
| 10 | A set design for Ring Round the Moon, Globe Theatre, 1950, 1904 | Watercolour | $2,724 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 9 | $1,721 |
| Works on paper | 30 | $1,533 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 13 | $1,721 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 27 | $1,432 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 46 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

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

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Oliver Messel auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/oliver-messel (updated 2026-11-03).

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.