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

# Willie Cole (b. 1955)

## What is Willie Cole’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 35 auction results for Willie Cole at 10 houses since 2009. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,778 including buyer’s premium (middle half $953–$4,000, n=13). The auction record is $20,160 for House and Field (2023, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | House and Field, 1997 | Mixed media installation | $20,160 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 2 | Domestic Shield I, 1992 | Mixed media sculpture | $7,874 | Phillips | Feb 2025 |
| 3 | Elegba (North America), 2000 | Papier-mâché, beads, cowrie shells and wooden base | $5,040 | Phillips | Sep 2021 |
| 4 | Gas Snake (G), 1955 | Gas pump nozzle, rubber hose and rebar | $4,075 | Bonhams | May 2020 |
| 5 | Abundance 2000, 2000 | Porcelain and metal | $4,064 | Sotheby's | Jun 2023 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stowage, 1955 | Woodcut and relief, on kozo-shi paper | $8,820 | Christie's | Jul 2025 |
| 2 | Stowage, 1955 | Woodcut and relief on kozo-shi paper | $6,144 | Bonhams | Feb 2026 |
| 3 | Man, Spirit, and Mask, 1999 | Screenprint | $4,788 | Rago Arts | Feb 2024 |
| 4 | Jonny Mae, from The Beauties | Intaglio and relief print (unique variant), on Rives BFK paper, with full margins | $4,000 | Phillips | Oct 2026 |
| 5 | Jonny Mae, from The Beauties, 1955 | Intaglio | $2,800 | Christie's | Mar 2024 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 10 | $2,450 |
| Other | 9 | $1,600 |
| Works on paper | 10 | $899 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $6,144 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 17 | $1,778 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $1,044 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 35 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Willie Cole is an American artist with 42 auction lots recorded since 2009, median price $1,889. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Willie Cole sold in 2026 for $4,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Willie Cole work worth?

Across 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Willie Cole work is $1,889.

The median Willie Cole print sells for $1,905 across 21 lots.

The median Willie Cole sculpture sells for $5,040 across 3 lots.

The median Willie Cole work on paper sells for $691 across 4 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 | 22 | $1,905† | $8,820 | 95.5% | 2026-10-22 |
| Works on Paper | 4 | $691 | $1,143 | — | 2025-10-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $5,040 | $7,874 | 75% | 2025-02-12 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $1,090–$2,475† | $1,778† | $4,788 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $8,820 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $7,874 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $6,144 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $5,040 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $1,143 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $945 |

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 Willie Cole worth?

Across 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Willie Cole work is $1,889. The median Willie Cole print sells for $1,905 across 21 lots. The median Willie Cole sculpture sells for $5,040 across 3 lots. The median Willie Cole work on paper sells for $691 across 4 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Willie Cole print?

Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Willie Cole print is $1,905. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Willie Cole's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Willie Cole print is $8,820.

### What is the average price of a medium Willie Cole print?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Willie Cole print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,778, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Willie Cole's auction record?

Willie Cole's auction record is $20,160, set in 2023.

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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, “Willie Cole auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/willie-cole (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.