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

# Thomas Buttersworth (1768–1842)

## What is Thomas Buttersworth’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 50 auction results for Thomas Buttersworth at 19 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,654 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,573–$5,331, n=7). The auction record is $75,098 for The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805: the height of the action (2017, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805: the height of the action, 1798 | Oil paint | $75,098 | Christie's | Dec 2017 |
| 2 | Boats of H.M.S. Dianal Capturing American Pirate Schooner 'Topaz' Macao Roads 8th August 1807, 1807 | Oil on canvas | $28,750 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | May 1999 |
| 3 | The Battle of the Nile, 1 August 1798 | Oil on canvas | $24,476 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 4 | The action of Commodore Dance and the Comte de Linois off the Straits of Malacca, 15 February 1804 | Oil on canvas | $19,231 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 5 | Frigate and cutters in the Solent, oil on canvas, 1837 | Oil on canvas | $13,311 | Dorotheum | Apr 2018 |
| 6 | Cutter off Dover | Oil on canvas | $11,163 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | Nov 2005 |
| 7 | Belem Castle on the Tagus, 1768 | Oil on canvas | $10,998 | Bonhams | Apr 2017 |
| 8 | His Majesty’s Ships Off the Tower of Belem | Oil on canvas | $10,000 | Freeman's Hindman | Sep 2021 |
| 9 | Funchal Roadstead, H.M.S. Blenheim with Greyhound and Harrier Outward Bound, 1805, 1768 | Oil paint | $8,750 | Christie's | Apr 2012 |
| 10 | To the Rescue | — | $8,533 | Sotheby's | Jul 2007 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 33 | $5,133 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 16 | $4,325 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $4,060 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 50 results from 19 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Thomas Buttersworth is a British (modern) artist with 60 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $4,577. 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 Thomas Buttersworth sold in 2026 for $5,133, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Thomas Buttersworth work worth?

Across 44 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Buttersworth work is $4,577.

The median Thomas Buttersworth painting sells for $4,130 across 40 lots.

The median Thomas Buttersworth work on paper sells for $1,500 across 3 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Thomas Buttersworth paintings typically sell for $2,535–$7,229 (the middle half of 20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 49 | $4,130†‡ | $75,098 | 81.6% | 2026-10-21 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $1,500†‡ | $2,750‡ | 60% | 2025-09-12 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $28,750 | $75,098 | — | 2021-04-28 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 18 | $1,896–$7,180†‡ | $3,380†‡ | $16,500‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $2,535–$7,229†‡ | $4,098†‡ | $75,098 |

† 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 | 2017 | $75,098 |
| Paintings | 1999 | $28,750 |
| Works on Paper | 1998 | $2,750‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $1,500† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

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 Thomas Buttersworth worth?

Across 44 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Buttersworth work is $4,577. The median Thomas Buttersworth painting sells for $4,130 across 40 lots. The median Thomas Buttersworth work on paper sells for $1,500 across 3 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Thomas Buttersworth paintings typically sell for $2,535–$7,229 (the middle half of 20 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 Thomas Buttersworth painting?

Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Buttersworth painting is $4,130. 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 Thomas Buttersworth's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Buttersworth painting is $75,098.

### What is the average price of a medium Thomas Buttersworth painting?

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Thomas Buttersworth painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,098, 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 Thomas Buttersworth painting?

Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Thomas Buttersworth painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,380, 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 Thomas Buttersworth's auction record?

Thomas Buttersworth's auction record is $75,098, set in 2017.

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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, “Thomas Buttersworth auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/thomas-buttersworth (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.