Thomas Tjapaltjarri (1964–2024)
What is Thomas Tjapaltjarri’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 80 auction results for Thomas Tjapaltjarri at 6 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,039 including buyer’s premium (middle half $748–$1,253, n=21). The auction record is $2,486 for Tingari (2026, Lawsons Auctioneers). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tingari, 2014 | Acrylic on linen | $2,486 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |
| 2 | Tingari Cycle | Acrylic on linen | $2,161 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jun 2024 |
| 3 | Tingari, 2011 | Acrylic on canvas | $1,698 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Dec 2013 |
| 4 | (TTJ0605), 2004 | Acrylic paint | $1,638 | Wright | Oct 2024 |
| 5 | Tingari, 2020 | Acrylic on canvas | $1,598 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Mar 2026 |
| 6 | Tingari | Acrylic on linen | $1,456 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Aug 2025 |
| 7 | My Country, Tingari, 2022 | Acrylic on canvas | $1,258 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jan 2025 |
| 8 | Tingari | Acrylic on linen | $1,258 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jan 2025 |
| 9 | Lake Mackay | Acrylic on Belgian linen | $1,253 | Lawsons Auctioneers | May 2026 |
| 10 | Tingari, 2022 | Acrylic on canvas | $1,238 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Feb 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 38 | $839 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $1,049 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 20 | $674 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 80 results from 6 houses · How we compute these figures
Thomas Tjapaltjarri is an Australia (Aboriginal) artist with 145 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $703. 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 Tjapaltjarri is recorded as sold in 2026 for $1,125; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Thomas Tjapaltjarri record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Thomas Tjapaltjarri on OpeningBid →What is a Thomas Tjapaltjarri work worth?
Across 69 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Tjapaltjarri work is $703.
The median Thomas Tjapaltjarri painting sells for $722 across 68 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Thomas Tjapaltjarri paintings typically sell for $445–$916 (the middle half of 35 sold lots).
Large (over 120 cm) Thomas Tjapaltjarri paintings typically sell for $597–$1,464 (the middle half of 32 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 | 149 | $722†‡ | $2,486 | 45.6% | 2026-09-28 |
| Photography | 2 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $2,324†‡ | $9,340‡ | — | 2026-09-23 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 35 | $445–$916†‡ | $590†‡ | $1,270† |
| large (over 120 cm) | 32 | $597–$1,464† | $813† | $2,486 |
† 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 | 2026 | $2,486 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $2,161 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Thomas Tjapaltjarri worth?
Across 69 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Tjapaltjarri work is $703. The median Thomas Tjapaltjarri painting sells for $722 across 68 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Thomas Tjapaltjarri paintings typically sell for $445–$916 (the middle half of 35 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Thomas Tjapaltjarri paintings typically sell for $597–$1,464 (the middle half of 32 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 Tjapaltjarri painting?
Based on 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Tjapaltjarri painting is $722. 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 Tjapaltjarri's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Tjapaltjarri painting is $2,486.
What is the average price of a medium Thomas Tjapaltjarri painting?
Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Thomas Tjapaltjarri painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $590, 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 large Thomas Tjapaltjarri painting?
Based on 32 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Thomas Tjapaltjarri painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $813, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Thomas Tjapaltjarri's auction record?
Thomas Tjapaltjarri's auction record is $9,340, set in 2026. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Thomas Tjapaltjarri record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Thomas Tjapaltjarri on OpeningBid →