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

# William Turnbull (1922–2012)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 146 auction results for William Turnbull at 19 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $13,118 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,744–$56,423, n=23). The auction record is $911,154 for Khan (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khan, 1922 | Bronze | $911,154 | Christie's | Jun 2018 |
| 2 | Hero II, 1958 | Bronze with a green patina and stone, unique | $877,449 | Christie's | Jan 2020 |
| 3 | Ancestral Totem, 1956 | Bronze with a dark green patina, unique | $692,618 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 4 | Female, 1922 | Bronze | $633,034 | Christie's | Jun 2017 |
| 5 | Queen 2, 1988 | Bronze | $534,060 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |
| 6 | Large Siren, 1986 | Bronze with a green brown patina, on a York stone base | $467,303 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |
| 7 | Large Metamorphic Venus, 1922 | Bronze with a dark brown patina, on a stone base | $452,278 | Christie's | Jun 2014 |
| 8 | Queen 2, 1922 | Bronze with a light green and brown patina | $421,873 | Christie's | Jun 2018 |
| 9 | Large Idol | Bronze | $393,977 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 10 | Horse 2, 1987 | Bronze | $365,400 | Phillips | Jun 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 78 | $103,432 |
| Other | 5 | $74,870 |
| Paintings | 16 | $61,055 |
| Works on paper | 16 | $4,786 |
| Prints | 19 | $1,338 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 40 | $153,742 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 30 | $30,381 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 51 | $13,206 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 146 results from 19 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


William Turnbull is an undetermined artist with 180 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $58,491. 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 Turnbull sold in 2026 for $94,166, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 William Turnbull work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a William Turnbull work worth?

Across 146 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Turnbull work is $58,491.

The median William Turnbull sculpture sells for $102,319 across 81 lots.

The median William Turnbull print sells for $972 across 24 lots.

The median William Turnbull painting sells for $60,655 across 17 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) William Turnbull sculptures typically sell for $146,288–$400,951 (the middle half of 28 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) William Turnbull sculptures typically sell for $71,971–$156,264 (the middle half of 23 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 | 29 | $972†‡ | $6,399 | 82.8% | 2026-06-11 |
| Paintings | 20 | $60,655 | $223,511 | 85% | 2026-03-18 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $2,648‡ | $14,452 | 89.5% | 2026-09-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 91 | $102,319‡ | $911,154 | 89% | 2026-10-22 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 47 | $164,999 | $911,154 | — | 2025-10-23 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

William Turnbull's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (29 lots) median $972 with 82.8% sell-through. Paintings (20 lots) median $60,655, record $223,511. A typical William Turnbull painting sells for around 62× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 47 lots) the median is $164,999.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $410–$2,104†‡ | $851†‡ | $6,399 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $46,608–$147,857 | $61,455 | $223,511 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $1,085–$2,515‡ | $1,860‡ | $5,745 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $9,872–$12,956 | $11,344 | $14,452 |

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

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $31,906–$67,088‡ | $49,239‡ | $116,230 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $71,971–$156,264‡ | $94,916‡ | $877,449 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $146,288–$400,951‡ | $173,385‡ | $911,154 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $911,154 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2020 | $877,449 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $223,511 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $208,647 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $14,452 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $13,206 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $6,399 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $4,661 |

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 Turnbull worth?

Across 146 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Turnbull work is $58,491. The median William Turnbull sculpture sells for $102,319 across 81 lots. The median William Turnbull print sells for $972 across 24 lots. The median William Turnbull painting sells for $60,655 across 17 lots. Large (over 120 cm) William Turnbull sculptures typically sell for $146,288–$400,951 (the middle half of 28 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) William Turnbull sculptures typically sell for $71,971–$156,264 (the middle half of 23 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 Turnbull sculpture?

Based on 81 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Turnbull sculpture is $102,319. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is William Turnbull's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Turnbull sculpture is $911,154.

### What is the average price of a William Turnbull print?

Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Turnbull print is $972. 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 Turnbull's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Turnbull print is $6,399.

### What is the average price of a William Turnbull painting?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Turnbull painting is $60,655.

### What is William Turnbull's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Turnbull painting is $223,511.

### What is the average price of a large William Turnbull sculpture?

Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a large William Turnbull sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $173,385, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium William Turnbull sculpture?

Based on 23 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium William Turnbull sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $94,916, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

William Turnbull's auction record is $911,154, set in 2018.

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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 Turnbull auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-turnbull (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.