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

# William Birnie (1929–2006)

## What is William Birnie’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 22 auction results for William Birnie at 6 houses since 2018. Over the last 24 months the median price was $857 including buyer’s premium (middle half $671–$996, n=9). The auction record is $3,796 for AN IRISH GEORGE III MAHOGANY LONGCASE CLOCK, BY WILLIAM BIRNIE, DUBLIN the carved hood with three turned finials and Corinthian columns enclosing a brass face with silvered dial and Roman numeral chapter ring, the waisted trunk section with arche (2026, James Adam Salesrooms). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AN IRISH GEORGE III MAHOGANY LONGCASE CLOCK, BY WILLIAM BIRNIE, DUBLIN the carved hood with three turned finials and Corinthian columns enclosing a brass face with silvered dial and Roman numeral chapter ring, the waisted trunk section with arche, George III | Mahogany with brass face and silvered dial | $3,796 | James Adam Salesrooms | Apr 2026 |
| 2 | PRAWN BOATS, PITTENWEEM, 1999 | Signed and dated '99, oil on board | $2,046 | Lyon & Turnbull | Jan 2022 |
| 3 | On the Grand Canal, 1998 | Signed and dated lower right, oil on board | $1,914 | Lyon & Turnbull | Jun 2023 |
| 4 | LA CITADELLA, 1995, 1995 | <p>Signed and dated '95 lower left, oil on board</p> | $1,784 | Lyon & Turnbull | Jan 2025 |
| 5 | HURDY GURDY WITH KLIMT | Signed (twice) lower right, oil on board | $1,106 | Lyon & Turnbull | Apr 2024 |
| 6 | PITTENWEEM FROM THE HARBOUR | <p>Signed lower right, oil on board</p> | $996 | Lyon & Turnbull | Feb 2026 |
| 7 | THE BALCONY, NAJEC, 1991 | Signed and dated '91 lower right, mixed media on canvas | $933 | Lyon & Turnbull | Feb 2022 |
| 8 | ROLLING FARMLANDS, FIFE | <p>Signed and dated '92 lower right, oil on board</p> | $906 | Lyon & Turnbull | Feb 2026 |
| 9 | AH96 | <p>Signed lower left, oil on board</p> | $857 | Lyon & Turnbull | Jun 2025 |
| 10 | PORTRAIT, 1981 | Signed and dated '81 lower right, oil on board | $734 | Lyon & Turnbull | Jun 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 13 | $906 |
| Other | 5 | $734 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $881 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $478 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 22 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


William Birnie is a Scottish artist with 26 auction lots recorded since 2018, median price $732. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by William Birnie sold in 2026 for $3,796, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a William Birnie work worth?

Across 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Birnie work is $732.

The median William Birnie painting sells for $691 across 18 lots.

The median William Birnie work on paper sells for $671 across 1 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 | 21 | $691†‡ | $2,046 | 85.7% | 2026-02-11 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $671 | $671 | 33.3% | 2026-06-23 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $412–$586† | $462† | $1,914 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $640–$928†‡ | $795†‡ | $2,046 |

† 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 | 2022 | $2,046 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $1,914 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $671 |

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 William Birnie worth?

Across 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Birnie work is $732. The median William Birnie painting sells for $691 across 18 lots. The median William Birnie work on paper sells for $671 across 1 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 William Birnie painting?

Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Birnie painting is $691. 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 William Birnie's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Birnie painting is $2,046.

### What is William Birnie's auction record?

William Birnie's auction record is $3,796, set in 2026.

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “William Birnie auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-birnie (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.