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

# Oscar Howe (1915–1983)

## What is Oscar Howe’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 14 auction results for Oscar Howe at 3 houses since 2024. Over the last 24 months the median price was $178,475 including buyer’s premium (middle half $147,125–$226,875, n=10). The auction record is $272,250 for Herakawin (Elk Woman) (2026, Coeur d'Alene Art Auction). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herakawin (Elk Woman), 1963 | — | $272,250 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2026 |
| 2 | Horse Dancer | — | $272,250 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2026 |
| 3 | Dancer | Casein on paper | $229,900 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2025 |
| 4 | Sioux War Dancer, 1965 | — | $217,800 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2026 |
| 5 | Dawn Rider, 1966 | Casein on paper | $181,500 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2025 |
| 6 | Sioux Origin | Casein on paper | $175,450 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2025 |
| 7 | Man, Horse, Buffalo | Casein on paper | $169,400 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2025 |
| 8 | War Dancer, 1961 | Casein on paper | $139,700 | John Moran Auctioneers | Apr 2026 |
| 9 | "Sioux Council" | — | $63,500 | John Moran Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |
| 10 | Smoke signals, circa 1953 | Ink, presumably in another hand, on the frame's backing paper | $40,000 | John Moran Auctioneers | Jun 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 6 | $154,550 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $178,475 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 14 results from 3 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Oscar Howe is a Native American artist with 8 auction lots recorded since 2024, median price $217,800.

A work by Oscar Howe sold in 2026 for $272,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Oscar Howe work worth?

Across 8 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Oscar Howe work is $217,800.

The median Oscar Howe painting sells for $154,550 across 6 lots.

The median Oscar Howe work on paper sells for $107,725 across 2 lots.

The median Oscar Howe print sells for $297 across 1 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 1 | $297 | $297 | — | 2024-03-12 |
| Paintings | 6 | $154,550 | $229,900 | — | 2026-04-07 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $107,725 | $175,450 | — | 2025-07-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $199,650 | $272,250 | — | 2026-07-25 |

Oscar Howe's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $297. Paintings (6 lots) median $154,550, record $229,900. A typical Oscar Howe painting sells for around 520× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 8 lots) the median is $199,650.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $20,000–$181,500 | $169,400 | $229,900 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $229,900 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $181,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $175,450 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $40,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $297 |

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 Oscar Howe worth?

Across 8 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Oscar Howe work is $217,800. The median Oscar Howe painting sells for $154,550 across 6 lots. The median Oscar Howe work on paper sells for $107,725 across 2 lots. The median Oscar Howe print sells for $297 across 1 lots.

### What is Oscar Howe's auction record?

Oscar Howe's auction record is $272,250, 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, “Oscar Howe auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/oscar-howe (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.