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

# Tony Smith (1941–1980)

## What is Tony Smith’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 59 auction results for Tony Smith at 13 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $17,840 including buyer’s premium (middle half $13,440–$43,780, n=6). The auction record is $842,500 for Duck (2009, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duck, 1962-1963 | Painted steel | $842,500 | Christie's | May 2009 |
| 2 | Louisenberg #4, 1953 | Oil paint | $355,600 | Christie's | Sep 2025 |
| 3 | Throne, 1956 | Steel | $355,600 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 4 | For V.T., 1969 | Bronze soudé à patine noire | $292,668 | Christie's | Oct 2023 |
| 5 | Tau, 1961 | Stainless steel | $125,000 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 6 | The Snake is Out, 1962 | Bronze | $106,250 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 7 | Cross, 1960 | Cast bronze with black patina | $100,800 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 8 | Untitled (Atlanta), 1980 | Bronze | $82,550 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 9 | The Elevens Are Up, 1963 | Cast bronze with black patina, in two parts | $75,000 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 10 | We Lost, 1962 | Bronze | $75,000 | Wright | Nov 2018 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 33 | $46,000 |
| Works on paper | 5 | $19,120 |
| Other | 8 | $8,243 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $292,668 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 24 | $38,020 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $19,560 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 59 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Tony Smith is a British (modern) artist with 69 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $32,500. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Tony Smith sold in 2026 for $51,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Tony Smith work worth?

Across 59 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tony Smith work is $32,500.

The median Tony Smith sculpture sells for $36,680 across 40 lots.

The median Tony Smith work on paper sells for $30,000 across 7 lots.

The median Tony Smith painting sells for $44,565 across 4 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Tony Smith sculptures typically sell for $10,440–$76,512 (the middle half of 20 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 | 2 | $2,598 | $5,046 | — | 2025-09-20 |
| Paintings | 6 | $44,565 | $355,600 | 66.7% | 2026-04-27 |
| Works on Paper | 8 | $30,000 | $60,000 | 87.5% | 2024-05-17 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 45 | $36,680† | $842,500 | 88.9% | 2026-05-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $292,668 | $842,500 | — | 2025-09-30 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Tony Smith's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $2,598. Paintings (6 lots) median $44,565, record $355,600. A typical Tony Smith painting sells for around 17× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $292,668.

## Price by size

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $10,219–$48,125† | $21,000† | $75,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $10,440–$76,512† | $41,900† | $355,600 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2009 | $842,500 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $355,600 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $355,600 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $60,000 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $47,880 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $40,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $5,046 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $150 |

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 Tony Smith worth?

Across 59 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tony Smith work is $32,500. The median Tony Smith sculpture sells for $36,680 across 40 lots. The median Tony Smith work on paper sells for $30,000 across 7 lots. The median Tony Smith painting sells for $44,565 across 4 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Tony Smith sculptures typically sell for $10,440–$76,512 (the middle half of 20 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Tony Smith sculpture?

Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Tony Smith sculpture is $36,680. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Tony Smith's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Tony Smith sculpture is $842,500.

### What is the average price of a medium Tony Smith sculpture?

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Tony Smith sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $41,900, 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 small Tony Smith sculpture?

Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Tony Smith sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $21,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Tony Smith's auction record?

Tony Smith's auction record is $842,500, set in 2009.

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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, “Tony Smith auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/tony-smith (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.