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

# Otto Poertzel (1876–1963)

## What is Otto Poertzel’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 89 auction results for Otto Poertzel at 30 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.

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

| # | 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 | The Butterfly Dancers, 1876 | Cold-Painted Bronze and Carved Ivory Study, posing sur les points off a faceted onyx base | $27,533 | Bonhams | Jun 2014 |
| 10 | figural group: "Tom the rhyme", ca. 1925 | Bronce, ivory | $26,104 | im Kinsky Auktionshaus | Nov 2013 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 9 | $19,056 |
| Sculpture | 43 | $3,104 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 9 | $15,361 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 35 | $3,007 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 89 results from 30 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Otto Poertzel is a German artist with 113 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $3,104. 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 sold in 2026 for $5,298, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Otto Poertzel work worth?

Across 72 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Otto Poertzel work is $3,104.

The median Otto Poertzel sculpture sells for $2,281 across 51 lots.

The median Otto Poertzel painting sells for $29,749 across 9 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Otto Poertzel sculptures typically sell for $1,160–$5,694 (the middle half of 36 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 | 81 | $2,281†‡ | $54,415 | 63% | 2025-09-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $47,063 | $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) | 36 | $1,160–$5,694†‡ | $2,281†‡ | $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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Otto Poertzel worth?

Across 72 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Otto Poertzel work is $3,104. The median Otto Poertzel sculpture sells for $2,281 across 51 lots. The median Otto Poertzel painting sells for $29,749 across 9 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Otto Poertzel sculptures typically sell for $1,160–$5,694 (the middle half of 36 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 51 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Otto Poertzel sculpture is $2,281. 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 36 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Otto Poertzel sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,281, 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.

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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, “Otto Poertzel auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/otto-poertzel (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.