Sam Nhlengethwa (b. 1955)
What is Sam Nhlengethwa’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 198 auction results for Sam Nhlengethwa at 5 houses since 2010. Over the last 24 months the median price was $458 including buyer’s premium (middle half $311–$838, n=48). The auction record is $15,395 for Senegalese Images Exhibition (Diptych) (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senegalese Images Exhibition (Diptych), 2008 | Collage, oil and acrylic on canvas | $15,395 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 2 | The Pigeonhole (Homage to Marikana Miners), 2014 | Collage, oil and acrylic on canvas | $9,118 | Strauss and Co | Sep 2025 |
| 3 | Lover's Corner, 2011 | Oil, acrylic and collage on canvas | $5,148 | Strauss and Co | May 2026 |
| 4 | Abstract in Four Colours: Black, White, Red and Pink | Oil on canvas | $4,608 | Strauss and Co | Jun 2025 |
| 5 | And A One And A Two And A Three, 2002 | Mixed media on canvas | $4,250 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 6 | Sam Nhlengethwa (South Africa, 1955 - ), The Grey Floor, 2005 | Oil and collage on canvas | $3,895 | Russell Kaplan Auctioneers | Dec 2024 |
| 7 | Funeral Scene, 1993 | Mixed media and collage on paper | $3,415 | Strauss and Co | Jun 2024 |
| 8 | 16 June, 1992 | Collage on paper | $3,265 | Strauss and Co | Jul 2025 |
| 9 | Sam Nhlengethwa (South Africa, 1955 - ), Room with a Window and Bowl on a Table, 2003 | Oil and collage on board | $2,986 | Russell Kaplan Auctioneers | Dec 2024 |
| 10 | Red Sofa, 2013 | Oil and collage on canvas | $2,714 | Strauss and Co | Jul 2017 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $4,250 |
| Prints | 50 | $454 |
| Other | 6 | $413 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $4,608 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 13 | $1,076 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 26 | $355 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 198 results from 5 houses · How we compute these figures
Sam Nhlengethwa is a South African artist with 219 auction lots recorded since 2010, median price $529. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by Sam Nhlengethwa sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $869 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Sam Nhlengethwa record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Sam Nhlengethwa on OpeningBid →What is a Sam Nhlengethwa work worth?
Across 150 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sam Nhlengethwa work is $529.
The median Sam Nhlengethwa print sells for $452 across 102 lots.
The median Sam Nhlengethwa work on paper sells for $2,566 across 18 lots.
The median Sam Nhlengethwa painting sells for $4,608 across 17 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Sam Nhlengethwa prints typically sell for $340–$520 (the middle half of 26 sold lots).
Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 105 | $452† | $2,141 | 97.1% | 2026-04-14 |
| Paintings | 18 | $4,608† | $15,395 | 94.4% | 2026-06-17 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $2,566 | $3,415 | 94.7% | 2025-07-14 |
| Photography | 3 | $454 | $586 | 66.7% | 2026-04-20 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $4,878 | $15,395 | — | 2026-05-26 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Sam Nhlengethwa's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (105 lots) median $452 with 97.1% sell-through. Paintings (18 lots) median $4,608, record $15,395. A typical Sam Nhlengethwa painting sells for around 10× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $4,878.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 26 | $340–$520† | $355† | $709 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $567–$1,174† | $902† | $2,141 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2023 | $15,395 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $9,118 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $3,415 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $3,265 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $2,141 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $1,772 |
| Photography | 2026 | $586 |
| Photography | 2025 | $321 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Sam Nhlengethwa worth?
Across 150 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sam Nhlengethwa work is $529. The median Sam Nhlengethwa print sells for $452 across 102 lots. The median Sam Nhlengethwa work on paper sells for $2,566 across 18 lots. The median Sam Nhlengethwa painting sells for $4,608 across 17 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Sam Nhlengethwa prints typically sell for $340–$520 (the middle half of 26 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a Sam Nhlengethwa print?
Based on 102 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sam Nhlengethwa print is $452. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Sam Nhlengethwa's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sam Nhlengethwa print is $2,141.
What is the average price of a Sam Nhlengethwa work on paper?
Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sam Nhlengethwa work on paper is $2,566.
What is Sam Nhlengethwa's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sam Nhlengethwa work on paper is $3,415.
What is the average price of a Sam Nhlengethwa painting?
Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sam Nhlengethwa painting is $4,608. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Sam Nhlengethwa's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sam Nhlengethwa painting is $15,395.
What is the average price of a small Sam Nhlengethwa print?
Based on 26 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Sam Nhlengethwa print (small (under 50 cm)) is $355, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a medium Sam Nhlengethwa print?
Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Sam Nhlengethwa print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $902, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Sam Nhlengethwa's auction record?
Sam Nhlengethwa's auction record is $15,395, set in 2023.
See the full Sam Nhlengethwa record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Sam Nhlengethwa on OpeningBid →