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

# Rei Kawakubo (b. 1942)

## What is Rei Kawakubo’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 17 auction results for Rei Kawakubo at 8 houses since 2008. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,227 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,735–$6,397, n=8). The auction record is $32,760 for Set of Three Chairs (2022, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Set of Three Chairs, 1987 | Enamel | $32,760 | Sotheby's | Dec 2022 |
| 2 | Rare chairs, set of two, 1987 | Enamel | $28,600 | Wright | Oct 2018 |
| 3 | Rare chair, 1987 | Chrome | $18,750 | Wright | Mar 2019 |
| 4 | Rare chair, 1987 | Chrome | $15,600 | Wright | Mar 2019 |
| 5 | No. 1 chairs for Comme des Garçons, 1983 | Japan, 1983 enameled steel | $12,160 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jul 2026 |
| 6 | Chair, designed for the Comme des Garçons store, Tokyo, circa 1988 | Steel, rubber feet | $9,585 | Phillips | Apr 2026 |
| 7 | Chair No. 8, 1987 | Chrome steel | $8,750 | Wright | Dec 2019 |
| 8 | Table for Comme des Garçons, 1985 | Enamel | $5,334 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Mar 2026 |
| 9 | Table for Comme des Garçons, 1985 | Granite, enameled iron, casters | $5,334 | Wright | Mar 2026 |
| 10 | Table for Comme des Garçons, circa 1985 | Japan, c. 1985 granite, enameled iron, casters | $5,120 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jul 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 15 | $5,334 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $10,872 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 17 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Rei Kawakubo is a Japanese artist with 19 auction lots recorded since 2008, median price $5,334. 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 Rei Kawakubo sold in 2026 for $12,160, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Rei Kawakubo work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Rei Kawakubo on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/rei-kawakubo?ref=kg:rei-kawakubo) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Rei Kawakubo work worth?

Across 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Rei Kawakubo work is $5,334.

The median Rei Kawakubo photograph sells for $1,059 across 2 lots.

The median Rei Kawakubo sculpture sells for $1,800 across 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $1,800 | $1,800 | — | 2008-10-07 |
| Photography | 2 | $1,059 | $1,059 | — | 2025-07-09 |

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2008 | $1,800 |
| Photography | 2025 | $1,059 |
| Photography | 2025 | $1,059 |

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 Rei Kawakubo worth?

Across 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Rei Kawakubo work is $5,334. The median Rei Kawakubo photograph sells for $1,059 across 2 lots. The median Rei Kawakubo sculpture sells for $1,800 across 1 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 Rei Kawakubo's auction record?

Rei Kawakubo's auction record is $32,760, set in 2022.

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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, “Rei Kawakubo auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/rei-kawakubo (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.