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

# Papuan

## What is Papuan’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 26 | $416 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

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

## 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.

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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, “Papuan auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/papuan (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.