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

# Sam Nhlengethwa (b. 1955)

## What is Sam Nhlengethwa’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $4,250 |
| Prints | 50 | $454 |
| Other | 6 | $413 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Sam Nhlengethwa auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/sam-nhlengethwa (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.