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

# Reuben Nakian (1897–1986)

## What is Reuben Nakian’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 78 auction results for Reuben Nakian at 22 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,127 including buyer’s premium (middle half $266–$1,636, n=10). The auction record is $10,800 for Ecstasy Head (2007, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecstasy Head | — | $10,800 | Sotheby's | Jun 2007 |
| 2 | Head of Marcel Duchamp, 1943 | Bronze | $10,080 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 3 | Europa and the Bull (Voyage to Crete), circa 1960 | Ink and wash on cream wove paper | $6,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Sep 2021 |
| 4 | Leda and the Swan | — | $5,700 | Sotheby's | Jun 2007 |
| 5 | Voyage to Crete | — | $5,400 | Sotheby's | Jun 2007 |
| 6 | Harry L. Hopkins, 1934 | Bronze | $5,334 | Sotheby's | Mar 2024 |
| 7 | Nymph and Goat, 1981 | Charcoal | $5,000 | Wright | Mar 2005 |
| 8 | Europa and the Bull | Bronze with greenish brown patina | $4,320 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2012 |
| 9 | Nymph and Goat, 1985 | Bronze | $4,250 | Bonhams | Nov 2012 |
| 10 | Untitled (terracotta sculpture), 1965 | Terracotta | $4,063 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Oct 2014 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 36 | $1,838 |
| Prints | 7 | $880 |
| Works on paper | 14 | $432 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $1,067 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 45 | $1,000 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 78 results from 22 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Reuben Nakian is an American artist with 120 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $1,062. 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 Reuben Nakian sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $2,200 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Reuben Nakian work worth?

Across 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Reuben Nakian work is $1,062.

The median Reuben Nakian sculpture sells for $1,775 across 30 lots.

The median Reuben Nakian work on paper sells for $512 across 16 lots.

The median Reuben Nakian print sells for $615 across 8 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Reuben Nakian sculptures typically sell for $1,000–$2,590 (the middle half of 24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 11 | $615‡ | $1,500 | 72.7% | 2025-09-10 |
| Paintings | 2 | $288 | $350 | — | 2024-03-26 |
| Works on Paper | 21 | $512 | $6,750 | 76.2% | 2025-09-17 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 36 | $1,775†‡ | $27,500† | 83.3% | 2026-10-22 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $10,440† | $27,500† | — | 2026-04-23 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Reuben Nakian's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (11 lots) median $615 with 72.7% sell-through. Paintings (2 lots) median $288, record $350. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $10,440.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $204–$880 | $350 | $1,500 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $356–$760 | $438 | $6,750 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $1,000–$2,590 | $1,722 | $4,320 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $27,500† |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $10,080 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $6,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $5,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $1,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $1,067 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $350 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $225 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Reuben Nakian worth?

Across 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Reuben Nakian work is $1,062. The median Reuben Nakian sculpture sells for $1,775 across 30 lots. The median Reuben Nakian work on paper sells for $512 across 16 lots. The median Reuben Nakian print sells for $615 across 8 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Reuben Nakian sculptures typically sell for $1,000–$2,590 (the middle half of 24 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 Reuben Nakian sculpture?

Based on 30 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Reuben Nakian sculpture is $1,775. 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 Reuben Nakian's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Reuben Nakian sculpture is $27,500. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $27,500 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a Reuben Nakian work on paper?

Based on 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Reuben Nakian work on paper is $512.

### What is Reuben Nakian's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Reuben Nakian work on paper is $6,750.

### What is the average price of a Reuben Nakian print?

Based on 8 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Reuben Nakian print is $615. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Reuben Nakian's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Reuben Nakian print is $1,500.

### What is the average price of a small Reuben Nakian sculpture?

Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Reuben Nakian sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,722, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Reuben Nakian work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Reuben Nakian work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $438, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Reuben Nakian's auction record?

Reuben Nakian's auction record is $27,500, set in 2026. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $27,500 (buyer's premium not included).

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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, “Reuben Nakian auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/reuben-nakian (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.