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

# Viola Frey (1933–2004)

## What is Viola Frey’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 152 auction results for Viola Frey at 18 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,985 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,794–$15,890, n=43). The auction record is $110,075 for Talking Hands (2020, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Talking Hands, 1989 | Ceramic | $110,075 | Bonhams | Sep 2020 |
| 2 | Fallen Man III, 1992 | Glazed ceramic | $100,075 | Bonhams | May 2019 |
| 3 | Homage, 1985 | Glazed ceramic | $87,575 | Bonhams | Jun 2020 |
| 4 | Untitled (from the Grandmother Dress series), 1982 | Architectural terracotta | $75,600 | Rago Arts | Jun 2024 |
| 5 | Surprised Woman, 1986 | Ceramic | $75,075 | Bonhams | Feb 2020 |
| 6 | Artist, Mind, Studio, 1933 | Glazed ceramic | $72,500 | Bonhams | Oct 2017 |
| 7 | Standing Woman, 1985 | Glazed ceramic | $63,375 | Bonhams | Apr 2022 |
| 8 | Sleeping Man, 1984 | Ceramics | $56,250 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Oct 2013 |
| 9 | Untitled (Grandmother Dress series), 1982 | Architectural terracotta | $56,250 | Wright | Mar 2021 |
| 10 | Blow Man, 1933 | Glazed ceramic | $51,000 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 91 | $4,978 |
| Other | 25 | $3,800 |
| Works on paper | 9 | $2,200 |
| Paintings | 10 | $816 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 30 | $38,100 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 47 | $3,825 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 33 | $1,152 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 152 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Viola Frey is an American artist with 177 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $3,790. 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 Viola Frey sold in 2026 for $6,144, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Viola Frey work worth?

Across 142 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Viola Frey work is $3,790.

The median Viola Frey painting sells for $832 across 11 lots.

The median Viola Frey work on paper sells for $2,794 across 5 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 | 14 | $832†‡ | $25,200 | 78.6% | 2023-10-24 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $2,794† | $5,500† | — | 2025-06-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $75,338† | $110,075 | — | 2024-06-12 |

† 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) | 6 | $528–$1,614† | $800† | $3,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $800–$9,987‡ | $1,536‡ | $25,200 |

† 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 | 2010 | $25,200 |
| Paintings | 2009 | $9,987‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $5,500† |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $3,200 |

† 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 Viola Frey worth?

Across 142 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Viola Frey work is $3,790. The median Viola Frey painting sells for $832 across 11 lots. The median Viola Frey work on paper sells for $2,794 across 5 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 Viola Frey painting?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Viola Frey painting is $832. 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 Viola Frey's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Viola Frey painting is $25,200.

### What is Viola Frey's auction record?

Viola Frey's auction record is $110,075, set in 2020.

---

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Viola Frey auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/viola-frey (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.