Walter Battiss (1906–1982)
What is Walter Battiss’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 613 auction results for Walter Battiss at 6 houses since 2009. Over the last 24 months the median price was $958 including buyer’s premium (middle half $329–$2,635, n=217). The auction record is $42,945 for Multiple Mother and Child (2021, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multiple Mother and Child, 1906 | Painting | $42,945 | Bonhams | Oct 2021 |
| 2 | Untitled (oil on board) | Oil on board | $38,901 | Strauss and Co | May 2026 |
| 3 | Blue Figures | Oil on canvas | $24,873 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 4 | Sunset | Oil on canvas | $24,873 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 5 | Abstract Composition, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $23,542 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2025 |
| 6 | Self-Portrait Alpha Batt 155, 1974 | Watercolour on paper laid down on board | $21,219 | Strauss and Co | May 2026 |
| 7 | Boys and Birds | Oil on canvas | $20,179 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | River and Houses | Oil on canvas | $20,179 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2025 |
| 9 | Abstract Symbols, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $18,965 | Strauss and Co | Jul 2024 |
| 10 | Zanzibar | Oil on canvas | $15,356 | Strauss and Co | Feb 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 57 | $7,322 |
| Works on paper | 69 | $1,549 |
| Prints | 106 | $960 |
| Other | 60 | $253 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 82 | $2,276 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 151 | $1,186 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 613 results from 6 houses · How we compute these figures
Walter Battiss is a South African artist with 695 auction lots recorded since 2009, median price $1,647. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by Walter Battiss sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $6,205 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Walter Battiss record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Walter Battiss on OpeningBid →What is a Walter Battiss work worth?
Across 555 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Walter Battiss work is $1,647.
The median Walter Battiss print sells for $988 across 244 lots.
The median Walter Battiss work on paper sells for $1,606 across 140 lots.
The median Walter Battiss painting sells for $7,220 across 109 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Walter Battiss prints typically sell for $527–$1,354 (the middle half of 62 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Walter Battiss prints typically sell for $846–$2,126 (the middle half of 50 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 | 249 | $988† | $13,128 | 98% | 2026-07-14 |
| Paintings | 122 | $7,220† | $111,776† | 89.3% | 2026-06-18 |
| Works on Paper | 141 | $1,606† | $21,219 | — | 2026-07-21 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $1,173 | $1,173 | — | 2026-04-20 |
| Photography | 7 | $1,078 | $1,647 | — | 2025-06-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 16 | $20,179† | $111,776† | — | 2026-06-18 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Walter Battiss's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (249 lots) median $988 with 98% sell-through. Paintings (122 lots) median $7,220, record $111,776. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $111,776 (buyer's premium not included). A typical Walter Battiss painting sells for around 7.3× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 16 lots) the median is $20,179.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 62 | $527–$1,354† | $777† | $13,128 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 50 | $846–$2,126 | $1,600 | $10,540 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 41 | $4,993–$12,288 | $7,322 | $42,945 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $5,148–$11,858† | $7,220† | $23,542 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 48 | $844–$2,022† | $1,120† | $7,134 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $1,766–$5,426 | $2,918 | $21,219 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2026 | $111,776† |
| Paintings | 2021 | $42,945 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $21,219 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $13,128 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $10,540 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $7,187 |
| Photography | 2025 | $1,647 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $1,173 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Walter Battiss worth?
Across 555 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Walter Battiss work is $1,647. The median Walter Battiss print sells for $988 across 244 lots. The median Walter Battiss work on paper sells for $1,606 across 140 lots. The median Walter Battiss painting sells for $7,220 across 109 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Walter Battiss prints typically sell for $527–$1,354 (the middle half of 62 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Walter Battiss prints typically sell for $846–$2,126 (the middle half of 50 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a Walter Battiss print?
Based on 244 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Walter Battiss print is $988. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Walter Battiss's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Walter Battiss print is $13,128.
What is the average price of a Walter Battiss work on paper?
Based on 140 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Walter Battiss work on paper is $1,606. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Walter Battiss's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Walter Battiss work on paper is $21,219.
What is the average price of a Walter Battiss painting?
Based on 109 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Walter Battiss painting is $7,220. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Walter Battiss's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Walter Battiss painting is $111,776. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $111,776 (buyer's premium not included).
What is the average price of a small Walter Battiss print?
Based on 62 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Walter Battiss print (small (under 50 cm)) is $777, 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 medium Walter Battiss print?
Based on 50 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Walter Battiss print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Walter Battiss's auction record?
Walter Battiss's auction record is $111,776, set in 2026. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $111,776 (buyer's premium not included).
See the full Walter Battiss record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Walter Battiss on OpeningBid →