The short version
- Typical range: £20 – £300
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Art & Collectibles
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used paintings is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for paintingss, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £300 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £255 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £195 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £135 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £75 | 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 paintings
- Signed original works with documented provenance
- Artists with an established auction record
- Original frames appropriate to the period
- Canvases with no tears, flaking or overpainting
What lowers it
- Prints and reproductions mistaken for originals
- Flaking paint and craquelure needing conservation
- Water staining and foxing on works on paper
- Unsigned works with no attribution
How to work out what yours is worth
- Look closely at the surface — prints show dot patterns under magnification
- Photograph the signature, the back and any labels
- Search auction results for the artist’s name
Once you have those three answers you can place your own paintings 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 tell an original painting from a print?
Look at the surface under magnification. Prints show a regular dot pattern; originals show brushwork and texture.
Does the frame add value?
Sometimes considerably, particularly period frames. Photograph it separately, since it may be valued in its own right.
What should I do with labels on the back?
Photograph them and leave them alone. Gallery and exhibition labels are provenance and can add real value.
More value guides: art & collectibles guides · all value guides · browse live art & collectibles listings.