Papuan
What is Papuan’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 27 auction results for Papuan at 4 houses since 2018. Over the last 24 months the median price was $445 including buyer’s premium (middle half $264–$589, n=19). The auction record is $2,860 for Slit drum (garamut) (2018, Wright). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slit drum (garamut), 20th Century | Slit drum | $2,860 | Wright | Nov 2018 |
| 2 | crocodile sculpture, 20th Century | Sculpture | $1,250 | Wright | Nov 2018 |
| 3 | Ancestor head | Carved and painted wood | $704 | Wright | Aug 2026 |
| 4 | Canoe paddles, pair | Carved and painted wood | $699 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Dec 2025 |
| 5 | Canoe paddles, pair, 20th century | Canoe paddles | $699 | Wright | Dec 2025 |
| 6 | Gope (spirit board), 1982 | Spirit board | $665 | Wright | Apr 2026 |
| 7 | Gope (spirit board) | Carved wood, pigment | $665 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Apr 2026 |
| 8 | Gope (spirit board) and shield, 20th century | Spirit board and shield | $630 | Wright | Jun 2023 |
| 9 | Pedestal bowl | Carved wood | $512 | Wright | Aug 2026 |
| 10 | Ceremonial mask, 20th century | Mask | $445 | Wright | Dec 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 26 | $416 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $665 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $438 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 9 | $264 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 27 results from 4 houses · How we compute these figures
Papuan is a Papuan artist with 30 auction lots recorded since 2018, median price $438.
A work by Papuan sold in 2026 for $512, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Papuan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Papuan on OpeningBid →What is a Papuan work worth?
Across 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Papuan work is $438.
The median Papuan sculpture sells for $534 across 10 lots.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 11 | $534 | $2,860 | 90.9% | 2026-08-11 |
Price by size
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $630–$1,250 | $665 | $2,860 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $2,860 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $1,250 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Papuan worth?
Across 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Papuan work is $438. The median Papuan sculpture sells for $534 across 10 lots.
What is the average price of a Papuan sculpture?
Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Papuan sculpture is $534.
What is Papuan's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Papuan sculpture is $2,860.
What is Papuan's auction record?
Papuan's auction record is $2,860, set in 2018.
See the full Papuan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Papuan on OpeningBid →