Ruskin Spear (1911–1990)
What is Ruskin Spear’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 307 auction results for Ruskin Spear at 21 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,085 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,550–$5,799, n=44). The auction record is $57,016 for The Arty Tie (2003, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Arty Tie | Oil on board | $57,016 | Christie's | Nov 2003 |
| 2 | Strawberry Mousse, 1959 | Oil on board | $55,085 | Sworders | Mar 2026 |
| 3 | Strawberry Mousse, 1911 | Oil on board | $55,031 | Sworders | Jun 2026 |
| 4 | Sherry Bar Portrait, 1911 | Oil on canvas with collage | $48,384 | Sworders | Oct 2024 |
| 5 | Sir Winston Churchill | Oil on canvas | $46,458 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 6 | Mr. Hollingberry's Canary, circa 1963 | Oil on canvas | $45,539 | Christie's | Oct 2010 |
| 7 | Hammersmith Bridge, 1978 | Oil on canvas | $34,845 | Christie's | Jan 2009 |
| 8 | Public House, 1949 | Oil on board Painted in | $28,320 | Chiswick Auctions | Jun 2026 |
| 9 | The Curious Cat, 1911 | Oil paint | $26,510 | Christie's | Mar 2010 |
| 10 | George and the Dragon, circa 1977 | Oil on board | $26,233 | Christie's | Dec 2012 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 176 | $4,954 |
| Other | 35 | $3,907 |
| Works on paper | 30 | $1,089 |
| Prints | 21 | $319 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 15 | $6,405 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 152 | $4,746 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 88 | $2,102 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 307 results from 21 houses · How we compute these figures
Ruskin Spear is a British (modern) artist with 339 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $3,552. 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 Ruskin Spear sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $6,909 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Ruskin Spear record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ruskin Spear on OpeningBid →What is a Ruskin Spear work worth?
Across 295 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ruskin Spear work is $3,552.
The median Ruskin Spear painting sells for $4,556 across 213 lots.
The median Ruskin Spear work on paper sells for $1,125 across 44 lots.
The median Ruskin Spear print sells for $287 across 24 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Ruskin Spear paintings typically sell for $3,257–$9,267 (the middle half of 127 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Ruskin Spear paintings typically sell for $1,605–$4,293 (the middle half of 62 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 | 29 | $287† | $1,273 | 82.8% | 2026-07-28 |
| Paintings | 226 | $4,556†‡ | $57,016 | 94.2% | 2026-07-28 |
| Works on Paper | 52 | $1,125†‡ | $26,510 | 84.6% | 2026-06-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 16 | $27,415 | $57,016 | — | 2026-06-30 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Ruskin Spear's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (29 lots) median $287 with 82.8% sell-through. Paintings (226 lots) median $4,556, record $57,016. A typical Ruskin Spear painting sells for around 16× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 16 lots) the median is $27,415.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $87–$311 | $197 | $782 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $223–$648† | $380† | $1,273 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 62 | $1,605–$4,293†‡ | $2,905†‡ | $22,462 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 127 | $3,257–$9,267†‡ | $6,047†‡ | $57,016 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $5,110–$16,830‡ | $6,405‡ | $45,539 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 30 | $385–$1,210†‡ | $932†‡ | $12,154 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $1,363–$2,943‡ | $2,259‡ | $26,510 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2003 | $57,016 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $55,085 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $26,510 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $12,154 |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $1,273 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $782 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ruskin Spear worth?
Across 295 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ruskin Spear work is $3,552. The median Ruskin Spear painting sells for $4,556 across 213 lots. The median Ruskin Spear work on paper sells for $1,125 across 44 lots. The median Ruskin Spear print sells for $287 across 24 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ruskin Spear paintings typically sell for $3,257–$9,267 (the middle half of 127 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Ruskin Spear paintings typically sell for $1,605–$4,293 (the middle half of 62 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 Ruskin Spear painting?
Based on 213 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruskin Spear painting is $4,556. 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 Ruskin Spear's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruskin Spear painting is $57,016.
What is the average price of a Ruskin Spear work on paper?
Based on 44 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruskin Spear work on paper is $1,125. 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 Ruskin Spear's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruskin Spear work on paper is $26,510.
What is the average price of a Ruskin Spear print?
Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruskin Spear print is $287. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Ruskin Spear's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruskin Spear print is $1,273.
What is the average price of a medium Ruskin Spear painting?
Based on 127 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ruskin Spear painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $6,047, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 small Ruskin Spear painting?
Based on 62 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ruskin Spear painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,905, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Ruskin Spear's auction record?
Ruskin Spear's auction record is $57,016, set in 2003.
See the full Ruskin Spear record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ruskin Spear on OpeningBid →