The short version
- Typical range: £40 – £600
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Art & Collectibles
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used original artwork is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for original artworks, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £600 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £510 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £390 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £270 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £150 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a original artwork
- Signed works by artists with an auction record
- Documented provenance and exhibition history
- Original frames appropriate to the period
- Sound surfaces with no flaking or overpainting
What lowers it
- Unsigned works with no attribution
- Flaking paint and craquelure needing conservation
- Overpainting and amateur restoration
- Water damage on works on paper
How to work out what yours is worth
- Photograph the signature, the reverse and any labels
- Search auction results for the artist’s name
- Note the medium, dimensions and any damage
Once you have those three answers you can place your own original artwork on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out if a painting is valuable?
Identify the artist first, from the signature and any labels on the reverse, then search auction results for that name.
Do labels on the back matter?
A great deal. Gallery and exhibition labels are provenance and can add real value, so photograph them and leave them alone.
Should I have a damaged painting restored?
Get advice first. Amateur restoration and overpainting reduce value more than the original damage did.
More value guides: art & collectibles guides · all value guides · browse live art & collectibles listings.