James Edward Buttersworth Auction Prices and Value Guide

James Edward Buttersworth auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 426 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

James Edward Buttersworth auction prices: quick answer

James Edward Buttersworth auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
James Edward Buttersworth
Source records
426
Market update
2026-02-06

Artist context

About James Edward Buttersworth

James Edward Buttersworth (1817–1894) was a British-born maritime painter who became one of the most celebrated ship portraitists working in the United States during the nineteenth century. Born on the Isle of Wight, England, he was the son and pupil of Thomas Buttersworth, a well-known Royal Navy marine painter. James Edward emigrated to the United States, settling in West Hoboken, New Jersey, where he produced a large body of work documenting the sailing vessels, racing yachts, and naval ships of his era. His paintings are recognized for their precise rigging detail, dramatic sea and sky compositions, and the sense of graceful motion he brought to each vessel. With over four hundred works documented in auction records, Buttersworth remains a significant figure in American maritime art, and his paintings are held in major museum and private collections.

19th-century American maritime paintingoil on canvassailing ships and yachtsyacht racing scenesnaval vessels and shipping scenesharbor and coastal views

Common works and media

Buttersworth worked primarily in oil on canvas. His most commonly encountered works depict individual ship portraits, yacht racing scenes (particularly America's Cup matches), naval vessels under sail, coastal harbor views, and multi-ship compositions showing racing or shipping activity. He also produced a smaller number of landscape and portrait paintings. Works range from small cabinet-sized panels to large exhibition-scale canvases. Prints and reproductions of his paintings also circulate in the market.

Market and appraisal context

Buttersworth's works appear regularly at major auction houses, with over four hundred documented lots spanning oil paintings of sailing ships, yacht races, and naval engagements. Valuation depends heavily on subject identification—scenes depicting famous America's Cup contenders or well-known vessels tend to attract the strongest interest—as well as canvas size, condition, and the level of compositional detail. Distinguishing his hand from that of his father Thomas Buttersworth is a common attribution challenge that can affect value. Collectors should seek clear provenance and, when possible, expert authentication, as the shared subject matter between father and son creates ongoing connoisseurship questions in the market.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Value drivers

  1. Provenance and attribution: works must be distinguished from those of his father Thomas Buttersworth, as both painted similar maritime subjects
  2. Subject matter: yacht racing scenes and identifiable vessels (especially America's Cup competitors) tend to be the most sought-after subjects
  3. Condition and detail: the artist's meticulous rendering of rigging, hull detail, and sea state affects desirability
  4. Size and format: larger canvases with multiple vessels or dramatic compositions generally command stronger results at auction

Appraisal caveats

  • Attribution can be challenging between James Edward Buttersworth and his father Thomas Buttersworth; expert connoisseurship may be required
  • The artist's total output of 426 documented auction appearances suggests a prolific career, but condition and authenticity vary widely across the market

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 James Edward Buttersworth

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is James Edward Buttersworth 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 James Edward Buttersworth artwork?

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