> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/tapio-wirkkala · updated 2026-11-03

# Tapio Wirkkala (1915–1985)

## What is Tapio Wirkkala’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,471 auction results for Tapio Wirkkala at 62 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,270 including buyer’s premium (middle half $655–$3,459, n=188). The auction record is $80,179 for leaf dish (2013, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | leaf dish | Leaf dish | $80,179 | Phillips | Sep 2013 |
| 2 | A Monumental Prototype 'Leaf', 1952 | Executed by KOE, Finland, birch-laminated plywood, ebonised wood, with later floor stand and optional wall bracket, painted tubular metal, painted metal | $66,182 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 3 | Chantarelle, 1946 | Turn-mould blown crystal, the outer surface line-cut | $61,639 | Bukowskis | Nov 2015 |
| 4 | Suite de douze bougeoirs mod. TW284, 1963 | Argent massif | $55,847 | Artcurial | Apr 2019 |
| 5 | mod. 61067, 1955 | Base en verre dépoli, fût et bras ajustable en laiton, réflecteur partiellement perforé et laqué noir | $47,308 | Artcurial | Oct 2018 |
| 6 | modèle K10-11, 1950 | Édition Idman | $35,515 | PIASA | Apr 2025 |
| 7 | candelabrum, model #TW412, 1969 | Silver | $28,800 | Wright | May 2006 |
| 8 | Ménagère de 224 pièces, 1915 | Stainless steel | $28,143 | PIASA | Jun 2026 |
| 9 | LARGE CANDELABRUM (TW191) | White metal | $27,520 | Christie's | Mar 2001 |
| 10 | Modèle n°61067, 1915 | Glass | $27,249 | PIASA | Oct 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 18 | $2,444 |
| Sculpture | 72 | $2,079 |
| Other | 1,027 | $1,378 |
| Prints | 13 | $1,375 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $764 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 63 | $3,750 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 79 | $2,900 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 796 | $1,296 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,471 results from 62 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Tapio Wirkkala is a Finnish artist with 2,113 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $1,270. 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 Tapio Wirkkala sold in 2026 for $1,330, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**5 Tapio Wirkkala works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Tapio Wirkkala on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/tapio-wirkkala?ref=kg:tapio-wirkkala) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Tapio Wirkkala work worth?

Across 1,448 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tapio Wirkkala work is $1,270.

The median Tapio Wirkkala sculpture sells for $4,063 across 73 lots.

The median Tapio Wirkkala print sells for $1,670 across 9 lots.

The median Tapio Wirkkala painting sells for $3,448 across 6 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Tapio Wirkkala sculptures typically sell for $1,653–$7,369 (the middle half of 46 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 | 13 | $1,670 | $8,836 | 69.2% | 2018-04-16 |
| Paintings | 7 | $3,448† | $18,445 | 85.7% | 2026-03-12 |
| Works on Paper | 6 | $682 | $23,849 | 83.3% | 2025-09-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 91 | $4,063‡ | $28,143 | 80.2% | 2026-07-02 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 71 | $18,267†‡ | $80,179 | — | 2026-07-02 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Tapio Wirkkala's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (13 lots) median $1,670 with 69.2% sell-through. Paintings (7 lots) median $3,448, record $18,445. A typical Tapio Wirkkala painting sells for around 2.1× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 71 lots) the median is $18,267.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $1,300–$5,434 | $2,140 | $8,836 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $1,270–$13,088 | $5,625 | $18,445 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 46 | $1,653–$7,369‡ | $3,331‡ | $18,063 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $2,920–$17,805 | $6,729 | $26,941 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $2,772–$5,080 | $4,463 | $10,795 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $28,143 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $26,941 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $23,849 |
| Paintings | 2014 | $18,445 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $13,088 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $8,836 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $8,654 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $1,666 |

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 Tapio Wirkkala worth?

Across 1,448 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tapio Wirkkala work is $1,270. The median Tapio Wirkkala sculpture sells for $4,063 across 73 lots. The median Tapio Wirkkala print sells for $1,670 across 9 lots. The median Tapio Wirkkala painting sells for $3,448 across 6 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Tapio Wirkkala sculptures typically sell for $1,653–$7,369 (the middle half of 46 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 Tapio Wirkkala sculpture?

Based on 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Tapio Wirkkala sculpture is $4,063. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Tapio Wirkkala's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Tapio Wirkkala sculpture is $28,143.

### What is the average price of a Tapio Wirkkala print?

Based on 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Tapio Wirkkala print is $1,670.

### What is Tapio Wirkkala's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Tapio Wirkkala print is $8,836.

### What is the average price of a small Tapio Wirkkala sculpture?

Based on 46 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Tapio Wirkkala sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,331, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a large Tapio Wirkkala sculpture?

Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Tapio Wirkkala sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $4,463, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Tapio Wirkkala's auction record?

Tapio Wirkkala's auction record is $80,179, set in 2013.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Tapio Wirkkala auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/tapio-wirkkala (updated 2026-11-03).

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.