> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-matthew-prior · updated 2026-11-02

# William Matthew Prior (1806–1873)

William Matthew Prior is an American artist with 105 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $3,750. 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 William Matthew Prior is recorded as sold in 2025 for $10,000; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 William Matthew Prior works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [William Matthew Prior on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-matthew-prior?ref=kg:william-matthew-prior) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a William Matthew Prior work worth?

Across 85 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Matthew Prior work is $3,750.

The median William Matthew Prior painting sells for $2,932 across 62 lots.

The median William Matthew Prior print sells for $4,347 across 2 lots.

The median William Matthew Prior work on paper sells for $26,450 across 1 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) William Matthew Prior paintings typically sell for $2,125–$14,688 (the middle half of 34 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) William Matthew Prior paintings typically sell for $805–$7,790 (the middle half of 27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2 | $4,347 | $6,930 | — | 2023-01-23 |
| Paintings | 73 | $2,932†‡ | $200,000 | 84.9% | 2026-06-18 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $26,450 | $26,450 | — | 2008-06-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $50,525 | $200,000 | — | 2022-01-20 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

William Matthew Prior's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $4,347. Paintings (73 lots) median $2,932, record $200,000. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $50,525.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 34 | $2,125–$14,688†‡ | $4,062†‡ | $200,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 27 | $805–$7,790‡ | $1,900‡ | $112,575 |

† 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 | $200,000 |
| Paintings | 2008 | $112,575 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $26,450 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $6,930 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $1,764 |

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 Matthew Prior worth?

Across 85 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Matthew Prior work is $3,750. The median William Matthew Prior painting sells for $2,932 across 62 lots. The median William Matthew Prior print sells for $4,347 across 2 lots. The median William Matthew Prior work on paper sells for $26,450 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) William Matthew Prior paintings typically sell for $2,125–$14,688 (the middle half of 34 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) William Matthew Prior paintings typically sell for $805–$7,790 (the middle half of 27 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 William Matthew Prior painting?

Based on 62 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Matthew Prior painting is $2,932. 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 Matthew Prior's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Matthew Prior painting is $200,000.

### What is the average price of a small William Matthew Prior painting?

Based on 34 sold lots, the median auction price of a small William Matthew Prior painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,062, 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 medium William Matthew Prior painting?

Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium William Matthew Prior painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,900, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is William Matthew Prior's auction record?

William Matthew Prior's auction record is $200,000, set in 2022.

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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, “William Matthew Prior auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-matthew-prior (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.