American, 1932–2018
Wendell Castle
449results on record
83%sell-through
$12,500median result (USD, incl. premium; 93% observed, 7% estimated from hammer)
$471,000record in our coverage
Drawn from 449 recorded results (385 sold · 64 passed) across 10 auction houses, 1999–2026. 1 upcoming lot on the ledger. What we cover
Median sold price by year typical estimate range median result USD, incl. premium; 93% observed, 7% estimated from hammer method · log scale
Where does a value land in this market?
The same figure also answers the seller's question: which house clears a work like this, and for how much — expected proceeds by house, from the sell-through the rest of this page is built on.
Every sold result for this market, low to high (log scale) — the dashed line is the median. Enter a value to see where it lands.
By medium where medium is recorded or stated in the catalog line
| Medium | Results | Sell-through | Median result (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ceramics & design | 337 | 83% | $13,805 |
| sculpture | 7 | 67% | $15,533 |
| painting | 4 | 67% | $5,250 |
| other | 4 | 100% | $7,344 |
Medium is recorded for 352 of 449 results (78%) — rows above cover that subset; the rest of the record is in the full ledger below.
Compared with George Nakashima Wendell Castle George Nakashima
| Metric | Wendell Castle | George Nakashima |
|---|---|---|
| Median result | $12,500 | $17,500 |
| Record price | $471,000 | $822,400 |
| Results on record | 449 | 2,903 |
| Years active at auction | 1999–2026 | 1998–2026 |
Related artists: George NakashimaHarry BertoiaPaul EvansGio Ponti
Market strength liquidity score, 0–100 · method
80/ 100
- Sell-through83%
- Meets estimate68%
- Market depth449 results
How readily and near-estimate this market clears — sell-through, estimate reliability, and depth, blended into one score. "Meets estimate" is the share of sold lots hammering at or above the low estimate, over catalogs that print a real appraisal: a house whose printed low is a starting bid would meet its estimate on every lot, so those lots are excluded from this term only — their prices and outcomes still count in the other two. Method →
Where this artist sells best
| House | Results | Sell-through | Median | vs. estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rago | 127 | 91% | $8,125 | — |
| Wright | 108 | 81% | $8,152 | — |
| Sotheby's | 88 | 72% | $25,800 | 1.07× |
| Christie's | 41 | 79% | $33,554 | — |
| Phillips | 33 | 82% | $69,300 | — |
| Freeman's | Hindman | 25 | 100% | $8,750 | 1.08× |
| Bonhams | 20 | 60% | $7,612 | 0.83× |
| Heritage Auctions | 7 | 86% | $2,219 | — |
| Artcurial | 3 | — | $1,383 | 0.80× |
| Koller | 1 | — | $15,533 | — |
The same artist across every house we cover — hammer-vs-estimate side by side. A dash in the estimate column can mean withheld rather than unpublished: the house publishes no hammer price, or its printed low is a starting bid rather than an appraisal. Method →
Prices realized 454 recorded lots — sold, passed, and upcoming — results in USD incl. premium; est. marks a premium estimated from the house's schedule ✓ Includes 64 passed lots
| Date | Lot | Medium | vs. estimate | Estimate USD | Result USD, incl. premium | House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 realized prices on this page are locked. A Research Pass reads 50 of them for $39, once — buy a pass | ||||||
| 2021·03 | Arch Clock, 1989 Edition of 12 | ebonized cherry, patinated aluminum, patinated brass, gold leaf | $4,000–$6,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Vargo Clock, 1995 | polychromed jelutong, mahogany, brass, veneer | $2,000–$4,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Voyage Console Table, 1995 | polychromed jelutong, polychromed mahogany, stained walnut | $8,000–$12,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Three-Star Console Table, 1996 | polychromed jelutong, mahogany | $8,000–$12,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Seven Days of the Week Dining Table and Ten Chairs, 1997 | ebonized mahogany, ash veneer, upholstery | $60,000–$80,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Seven Days of the Week Cabinet, 1997 | ash veneer, polychromed jelutong, bronze | $15,000–$25,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Two Stools, 1992 | mahogany, poplar, ebony veneer, white gold leaf | $2,000–$4,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | End Table, 1990 | ebonized mahogany, walnut veneer, gold leaf | $6,000–$8,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Magazine Rack, 1989 | cherry, stained curly maple, poplar | $800–$1,200 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Time Is Man's Angel Clock with Cabinet, 1990 | curly maple, patinated copper, aluminum, gold leaf, poplar, oak | $10,000–$20,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Too Soon Chair, 2005 | walnut | $30,000–$50,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Ceci n'est Pas un Cadeau (This is Not a Gift) Carved Box, 2001 | basswood | $1,500–$2,500 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·03 | Canapé molar, le modèle créé en 1969 | $1,795–$2,394 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·02 | Castle Chair, c. 1970 | gel-coated fiberglass | $400–$600 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·01 | Molar Chair | Fiberglass | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2021·01 | Molar Chair | Fiberglass | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2021·01 | Molar Table | Gel-coated fiberglass, rubber | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2021·01 | Molar Chair | Fiberglass | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2021·01 | Castle chair | $1,500–$2,000 | Rago | |||
| 2021·01 | Stool | $6,000–$9,000 | Rago | |||
| 2021·01 | Candlesticks, pair | $2,000–$3,000 | Rago | |||
| 2021·01 | Clover table | $3,000–$4,000 | Rago | |||
| 2021·01 | Video Picture Cabinet from Rosecliff, Inc. | $3,000–$4,000 | Rago | |||
| 2021·01 | Vargo clock | $2,500–$3,500 | Rago | |||
| 2021·01 | Visible Sounds | $3,000–$4,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·12 | Unique Dining Table and Set of Ten 'Apollo' Chairs, 1979 | cherrywood, original leather upholstery | $250,000–$350,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2020·12 | three “mushroom” stools | $50,000–$70,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2020·12 | An Important Two-Seater Settee | $200,000–$300,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2020·12 | "Rabbit Ear" Rocker | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2020·12 | "Abilene" rocker | $30,000–$50,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2020·10 | "elysium" conference table | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2020·09 | Cone Table | $4,000–$6,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·09 | Patent Pending | $4,000–$6,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·09 | Visible Sounds | $5,000–$7,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·09 | Chairman's Desk | $5,000–$7,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·09 | Partner's Desks from Rosecliff, Inc., set of two | $6,000–$8,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·09 | Bird of Paradise | $7,000–$9,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·09 | Dog Bed | $4,000–$6,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·09 | Six-Drawer Cabinet/Painting | $7,000–$9,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·09 | Salty Dog | $3,500–$4,500 | Rago | |||
| 2020·09 | Video Picture Cabinet from Rosecliff, Inc. | $5,000–$7,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·08 | Goose Desk | English walnut, curly maple, ebony, lacquer, India ink | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2020·07 | unique "angel heart" rocking chair | $100,000–$150,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2020·07 | Molar Group settee | $1,500–$2,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·07 | Settee | $60,000–$80,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2020·07 | Pair of chairs | $80,000–$120,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2020·07 | Dining table | $80,000–$120,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2020·07 | Bookcase | $12,000–$18,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2020·07 | Pair of Chairs, c. 1989 | ribbon mahogany, mother-of-pearl, leather | $6,000–$8,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2020·06 | ‘Triad’ Table, 2006 | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | |||
| 2020·06 | 'Day After Day’ Table, 2011 | $15,000–$20,000 | Christie's | |||
| 2020·06 | 'Three-Legged' Chair, 1983 | cherry wood, leather upholstery | $5,000–$7,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2020·05 | Custom doors for Gannett Co., Inc., Rochester | $20,000–$30,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·05 | Chairman's Desk | $7,000–$9,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·05 | Star Bright | $7,000–$9,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·05 | Wizard Cap | $10,000–$15,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·05 | White Lady | $9,000–$12,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·05 | There Must Be a Reason | $6,000–$9,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·05 | Whirlaway | $6,000–$9,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·05 | Shoo-in | $1,000–$1,500 | Rago | |||
| 2020·03 | "angel" chair | $2,000–$3,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2020·03 | "vargo" clock | $2,500–$3,500 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2020·03 | games table | $7,000–$9,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2020·03 | candlestick | $1,800–$2,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·12 | Pair of "three-legged" chairs | $25,000–$35,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2019·12 | (1932-2018) Common Ground1989stained cherry, bleached lacewood, patinated copper, plexiglassheight 47 1/2in (121cm); width 59in (150cm); depth 15 1/2in (39.5cm) | $10,000–$15,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·12 | (1932-2018) Southampton 1991mahogany, bubinga, Baltic birch, mahogany veneer, acrylic and oil on board, painted signature 'Castle 91'table configuration height 29in (91.5cm); width 37 1/4in (95cm); depth 35 3/4in (91cm); wall hanging configuration height 61in (155cm); width 38in (96cm); depth 8 1/2in (22cm) | $15,000–$25,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·12 | (1932-2018) Ice Bucket 1989steel, wood, patinated bronzeheight 43 3/4in. (111cm); width 15 3/4in (40cm); depth 11in (28cm) | $4,000–$8,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·12 | (1932-2018) Hooked Coat Rack1991stained mahogany, carved 'Wendell Castle 1991'height 72in (183cm); width 19in (48cm); depth 12in (30cm) | $15,000–$20,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·12 | (1932-2018) Bestride2002carved maple chair frame with carved jelutong pillow, carved 'Castle 02'height 37in (94cm); width 25in (63cm); depth 25in (63cm) | $50,000–$70,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·12 | 'Nirvana' Chair, 2007 | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | |||
| 2019·12 | Set of Four 'Three-Legged' Chairs, 1981 | cherry wood, leather upholstery | $30,000–$50,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2019·12 | arcadia bench | $120,000–$180,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·12 | Shoo-in | $3,000–$5,000 | Wright | |||
| 2019·11 | Etagère ou console dite "Cloud shelf" - création 1969 | Structure en fibre de verre recouverte de résine noir | $2,215–$4,431 | Artcurial | ||
| 2019·11 | Column Night Vision (#104), 1988 | dyed and lacquered walnut and birdseye maple | $8,000–$12,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2019·10 | Molar dining table | $2,000–$3,000 | Wright | |||
| 2019·10 | “cloud” shelf from the “molar” series | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·10 | “osbourne” coffee table | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·10 | dr. vermin's attitude | $6,000–$8,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·10 | phoenix rising | $6,000–$8,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·10 | sunny | $4,000–$6,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·10 | encouraged cabinet | $6,000–$8,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·10 | benny | $3,000–$5,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·09 | Quinn Reading Desk stool | $2,000–$3,000 | Wright | |||
| 2019·06 | Unique "Butterfly Love Seat" | $60,000–$80,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2019·06 | Unique Extending Dining Table and Set of Eight 'Apollo' Chairs, 1980 | stack laminated cherry wood, leather upholstery | $250,000–$350,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2019·06 | Pair of Chairs, 1981 | stack laminated cherry wood, leather upholstery | $25,000–$35,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2019·05 | chair | $40,000–$60,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·05 | an important "vermillion" desk and chair | $200,000–$300,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2019·04 | (1932-2018) We All Have Reasons1997cherry and painted and carved wood, carved mark 'Castle 97'height 38in (96.5cm); width 76in (193cm); depth 18in (45.7cm) | $20,000–$30,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·04 | (born 1932) Light Sculpture2006gilt fiberglass, impressed 'Castle 06'height 84in (205cm); width 23in (58cm); depth 23 1/2in (60cm) | $7,000–$10,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·01 | Joe U. Posner Founders Awards, set of two | $1,000–$1,500 | Wright | |||
| 2018·12 | (1932-2018) Maccabees Clock1988Swiss pearwood, poplar, Swiss pear veneer, gold and silver leaf, Egyptian calfskin detailing, electric clock movement, signed 'Wendell Castle 1988'height 114in (289.6cm); diameter 48in (121.9cm) | $25,000–$35,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2018·12 | (1932-2018) We All Have Reasons1997cherry and painted and carved wood, carved mark 'Castle 97'height 38in (96.5cm); width 76in (193cm); depth 18in (45.7cm) | $30,000–$50,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2018·12 | Unique "You'll Have to Wait..." bench | $20,000–$30,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2018·12 | Unique and important "Environment for Contemplation" | $250,000–$350,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2018·12 | Unique "Chaise Rocker" | $100,000–$150,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2018·12 | Unique "In God We Trust" chair | $60,000–$80,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2018·12 | Unique "Handy Man" bench | $12,000–$18,000 | Phillips | |||
Realized prices are sold by the record: 50 for $39, non-expiring. Reading them at volume is what Starter is for.