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

# Peter Shire (b. 1947)

## What is Peter Shire’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 195 auction results for Peter Shire at 25 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,349 including buyer’s premium (middle half $766–$1,812, n=36). The auction record is $98,111 for Big Sur (2016, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Sur | Lacquered wood with wool upholstery | $98,111 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 2 | Bel Air | Lacquered wood with wool upholstery, with its original wood crate | $50,638 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 3 | Teapot, 1991, 1947 | — | $12,000 | Bonhams | May 2016 |
| 4 | Bel Air chair, 1982 | Chair | $11,250 | Wright | Oct 2019 |
| 5 | Big Sur sofa, 1986 | Aluminum | $11,250 | Wright | Oct 2019 |
| 6 | Big Sur, 1982 | Lacquered wood | $10,160 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 7 | Bel Air, 1982 | Armchair | $8,190 | Phillips | Feb 2022 |
| 8 | Hollywood | Plastic-laminated and lacquered wood, lacquered tubular steel | $7,912 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 9 | Big Sur Settee, 1986 | Lacquered wood | $6,998 | Christie's | Oct 2011 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harlequin floor lamp, 1982 | Aluminum | $8,890 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Mar 2025 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 82 | $2,815 |
| Sculpture | 94 | $1,817 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 33 | $3,960 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 57 | $2,040 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 79 | $1,524 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 195 results from 25 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Peter Shire is an American artist with 266 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $1,890. 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 Peter Shire sold in 2026 for $2,816, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Peter Shire work worth?

Across 190 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Peter Shire work is $1,890.

The median Peter Shire sculpture sells for $2,772 across 35 lots.

The median Peter Shire print sells for $232 across 2 lots.

The median Peter Shire painting sells for $1,300 across 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 4 | $232 | $264 | 50% | 2025-11-20 |
| Paintings | 2 | $1,300 | $2,032 | — | 2025-11-20 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Sculpture & Installation | 42 | $2,772 | $11,250 | 83.3% | 2026-01-08 |
| Photography | 2 | $960 | $960 | 50% | 2026-03-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $10,705 | $98,111 | — | 2025-03-27 |

Peter Shire's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (4 lots) median $232 with 50% sell-through. Paintings (2 lots) median $1,300, record $2,032. A typical Peter Shire painting sells for around 5.6× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 10 lots) the median is $10,705.

## Price by size

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $700–$1,431 | $1,074 | $2,550 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $2,031–$3,360 | $2,782 | $5,313 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 15 | $2,261–$6,165 | $3,750 | $11,250 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $11,250 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $8,890 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $2,032 |
| Photography | 2026 | $960 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $567 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $264 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $200 |

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 Peter Shire worth?

Across 190 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Peter Shire work is $1,890. The median Peter Shire sculpture sells for $2,772 across 35 lots. The median Peter Shire print sells for $232 across 2 lots. The median Peter Shire painting sells for $1,300 across 2 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 Peter Shire sculpture?

Based on 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Peter Shire sculpture is $2,772.

### What is Peter Shire's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Peter Shire sculpture is $11,250.

### What is the average price of a large Peter Shire sculpture?

Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Peter Shire sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $3,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium Peter Shire sculpture?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Peter Shire sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,782, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Peter Shire's auction record?

Peter Shire's auction record is $98,111, set in 2016.

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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, “Peter Shire auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/peter-shire (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.