Otto Poertzel (1876–1963)
What is Otto Poertzel’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 81 auction results for Otto Poertzel at 28 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,202 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,586–$2,732, n=7). The auction record is $70,868 for Butterfly Dancers (2009, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Butterfly Dancers, 1925 | Cold-painted bronze, carved ivory, on onyx plinth | $70,868 | Christie's | Oct 2009 |
| 2 | Butterfly Dancers | Bronze, ivory, onyx | $54,415 | Sotheby's | Nov 2010 |
| 3 | Butterfly Dancers, 1925 | Ivory | $47,063 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 4 | Butterfly Dancers, 1925 | Ivory, cold-painted bronze, on an onyx plinth | $43,464 | Christie's | Apr 2008 |
| 5 | 'The Snake Dancer' a Rare Bronze and Ivory Study, circa 1920, 1876 | — | $34,602 | Bonhams | Jun 2015 |
| 6 | Flame Dancer, 1925 | Marble | $33,991 | Christie's | Oct 2011 |
| 7 | Harlequin Dancers, circa 1925 | Cold-painted bronze and ivory | $31,952 | Christie's | Jun 2003 |
| 8 | Columbine and Harlequin, 1925 | Cold-painted bronze and ivory group, on stepped oval bronze and slate base | $29,749 | Christie's | Oct 2010 |
| 9 | figural group: "Tom the rhyme", ca. 1925 | Bronce, ivory | $26,104 | im Kinsky Auktionshaus | Nov 2013 |
| 10 | ART DECO FIGURAL GROUP, 1925 | Ivory | $25,319 | Christie's | May 2013 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 9 | $19,056 |
| Sculpture | 42 | $3,056 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 9 | $15,361 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 34 | $2,689 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 81 results from 28 houses · How we compute these figures
Otto Poertzel is a German artist with 112 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $3,172. 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 Otto Poertzel is recorded as sold in 2025 for $4,395; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Otto Poertzel record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Otto Poertzel on OpeningBid →What is a Otto Poertzel work worth?
Across 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Otto Poertzel work is $3,172.
The median Otto Poertzel sculpture sells for $2,360 across 50 lots.
The median Otto Poertzel painting sells for $29,749 across 9 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Otto Poertzel sculptures typically sell for $1,114–$6,091 (the middle half of 35 sold 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 | 9 | $29,749 | $70,868 | — | 2017-10-18 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 80 | $2,360†‡ | $54,415 | 62.5% | 2025-09-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $50,739 | $70,868 | — | 2011-04-20 |
† 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) | 6 | $30,809–$46,163 | $38,728 | $70,868 |
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 35 | $1,114–$6,091†‡ | $2,360†‡ | $54,415 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $1,532–$15,361‡ | $6,000‡ | $19,056 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2009 | $70,868 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2010 | $54,415 |
| Paintings | 2011 | $47,063 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2006 | $37,543 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Otto Poertzel worth?
Across 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Otto Poertzel work is $3,172. The median Otto Poertzel sculpture sells for $2,360 across 50 lots. The median Otto Poertzel painting sells for $29,749 across 9 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Otto Poertzel sculptures typically sell for $1,114–$6,091 (the middle half of 35 sold 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 Otto Poertzel sculpture?
Based on 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Otto Poertzel sculpture is $2,360. 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 Otto Poertzel's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Otto Poertzel sculpture is $54,415.
What is the average price of a small Otto Poertzel sculpture?
Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Otto Poertzel sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,360, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Otto Poertzel's auction record?
Otto Poertzel's auction record is $70,868, set in 2009.
See the full Otto Poertzel record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Otto Poertzel on OpeningBid →