Basilius Besler Auction Prices and Value Guide

Basilius Besler auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 2,003 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Basilius Besler auction prices: quick answer

Basilius Besler auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Basilius Besler
Source records
2,003
Market update
2026-02-06

Artist context

About Basilius Besler

Basilius Besler (1561–1629) was a German apothecary, botanist, and art collector based in Nuremberg, best remembered for producing the Hortus Eystettensis, one of the most celebrated florilegia of the early modern period. Published in 1613, the work documents over one thousand plant species cultivated in the elaborate gardens of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, the Prince-Bishop of Eichstätt. Besler oversaw the project for nearly sixteen years, commissioning skilled engravers to render each specimen in detailed copperplate plates that set a new standard for botanical illustration. The resulting volume is regarded as a landmark in both botanical science and printmaking. Besler was also active as a naturalia collector and painter in Nuremberg from 1594 until his death in 1629.

Botanical illustration and early modern florilegiacopperplate engravingbotanical illustrationbotanical specimensflowers and garden plantsnatural history

Common works and media

Collectors most often encounter individual copperplate engravings from the Hortus Eystettensis, depicting garden flowers, herbs, bulbs, and exotic plants arranged by season. The work originally contained 367 plates across four seasonal sections. Hand-colored and uncolored impressions both circulate, as do later octavo editions published in the 1640s and 1750s. Complete first-edition copies are rare at auction.

Market and appraisal context

Basilius Besler's market is anchored by copperplate engravings from the Hortus Eystettensis (1613), which circulate widely at auction. Appraisily's index tracks 362 lots with 272 priced results spanning 1998 to April 2026, giving a deep and liquid comparable base. Individual plates typically realise between $360 (25th percentile) and $1,375 (75th percentile), with a median of $650. The ceiling at $1,411,125 reflects complete first-edition volumes or exceptionally rare hand-colored sets offered at major houses. The market is active and expanding: 33 priced lots in the most recent 12 months versus 23 in the prior period, indicating growing collector interest. Plates appear across a broad range of auction houses—from Christie's and Bonhams at the top tier to regional German specialists (Auktionshaus Arnold, Auktionshaus Mehlis, Karl & Faber), North American mid-tier firms (Weschler's, Simpson Galleries, Helmuth Stone, New Orleans Auction Galleries), and European houses (Gonnelli Casa d'Aste, Accademia Fine Art, Historia Auctionata). This breadth signals healthy, geographically dispersed demand rather than dependence on a single market.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Common auction categories

  • copperplate engraving
  • botanical illustration
  • Old Master prints
  • natural history prints

Value drivers

  1. [object Object]

Appraisal caveats

  • The 2,003 auction records in Appraisily's database reflect the high volume of individual Besler plates that circulate on the market; value varies widely between hand-colored and uncolored impressions.
  • Attribution should be confirmed by a specialist, as later editions and reproductions of Hortus Eystettensis plates exist.
  • Market context is drawn from biographical and art-historical sources rather than structured auction-result analysis for this artist profile.
  • The 362 lots include both original Besler impressions and works described as 'd'après' or later reproductions; buyers should verify authenticity and edition before relying on price comparisons.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.

Source-grounded artist Markdown

Data basis

This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.

LLM-readable Markdown summary for Basilius Besler

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Basilius Besler worth?

Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.

Can Appraisily value my Basilius Besler artwork?

Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.