Charles Bird King Auction Prices and Value Guide
Charles Bird King auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 188 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Charles Bird King auction prices: quick answer
Charles Bird King auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Charles Bird King
- Source records
- 188
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About Charles Bird King
Charles Bird King (1785–1862) was an American portrait painter active in Washington, D.C., best known for his portrayals of Native American leaders and tribal delegates who visited the capital. Born in Newport, Rhode Island, King developed a refined painting style shaped by Dutch influences, evident in both his portraiture and his still-life compositions. His most recognized body of work comprises portraits of prominent Native American figures, creating a visual record of individuals from numerous tribes during the early decades of the American Republic. King's Native American portraits were widely reproduced as lithographic prints in the nineteenth century, extending the reach of his imagery well beyond the original canvases. While valued as historical documents, his depictions have been noted for taking interpretive liberties in representing Native American dress and physical features, a point raised by both contemporary and modern commentators.
Early American portraitureoil on canvasNative American portraitsstill lifecommissioned portraiture
Common works and media
Original oil portraits (particularly of Native American sitters and Washington, D.C. society figures), still-life paintings in the Dutch-influenced tradition, and reproductive lithographic prints after his portrait compositions. Original works are most commonly oil on canvas. Portrait miniatures may also appear, though they are less frequently documented.
Market and appraisal context
Charles Bird King's original oil portraits of Native American sitters are the most historically significant segment of his output and are relatively scarce, which can generate strong interest at auction. His still-life paintings, reflecting Dutch compositional traditions, appear less frequently on the market and appeal to collectors of early American painting. Provenance documentation, attribution certainty, whether a portrait depicts an identified sitter, and condition all substantially affect appraisal outcomes. Reproductive prints after his Native American portraits circulated widely in the nineteenth century and typically trade at more modest levels than original canvases. Collectors should distinguish between original oils and later lithographic reproductions when evaluating works attributed to King.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- American Paintings
- Historical Portraits
Value drivers
- Provenance and documented exhibition history significantly affect value
- Identified Native American sitter portraits carry stronger historical and market interest
- Condition and attribution certainty are primary factors for appraisal
Appraisal caveats
- Reproductive lithographs after King's portraits circulated widely and are more common than original oils
- No auction-house or museum market analysis was available in the source pack; market observations are inferred from biographical context
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- RKD - Netherlands Institute for Art History library authority
- Wikidata library authority
- VIAF library authority
- Getty Vocabulary Program library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
- Library of Congress library authority
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.
Artist value FAQ
How much is Charles Bird King 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 Charles Bird King artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.