Jean Dunand Auction Prices and Value Guide
Jean Dunand auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 1,083 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Jean Dunand auction prices: quick answer
Jean Dunand auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Jean Dunand
- Source records
- 1,083
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About Jean Dunand
Jean Dunand (born Jules John Dunand, 1877–1942) was a Swiss-born artist who spent most of his career in Paris and became one of the defining figures of Art Deco decorative art. Originally trained as a sculptor, he turned to metalworking and lacquer after encountering East Asian lacquer techniques, mastering a labor-intensive process of building up layers of resin to create richly colored, lustrous surfaces. His lacquered screens, vases, and furniture panels—often featuring stylized figures, geometric patterns, and bold color—were shown at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and earned international acclaim. Dunand's work bridges fine art and craft, and collectors encounter it today in museum decorative-arts collections and at major auction houses worldwide.
Art Decolacquer (urushi-style japanning)metalwork (gold, silver, copper, brass)sculpturepaintingdecorative screens and panelsinterior design and furniturestylized figurative and geometric Art Deco motifs
Common works and media
Collectors and appraisers most frequently encounter Dunand's lacquered folding screens (paravents), large wall panels, and tabletop plaques featuring stylized figurative or floral motifs. Other common works include hammered brass and copper vases, sometimes decorated with lacquer or enamel insets; lacquered furniture such as consoles and side tables; and sculptural metal objects. Occasional portrait busts and small-scale sculptures in bronze or other metals also appear. Prints and posters are not typical of Dunand's output; the market centers on original decorative objects and furniture.
Market and appraisal context
Jean Dunand commands a deep, liquid auction market with 952 recorded lots (681 with prices realized) spanning 2001–April 2026. The price distribution is wide: from $63 for small accessories to $3,089,000 for major commissions. The median stands at $26,000 (USD), with the interquartile range spanning $7,500–$75,600. The top of the market is dominated by large-scale lacquered furniture, mirrors, and monumental vases—Christie's New York sold a 'Psyché à la Baigneuse' dressing mirror for $952,500 and a pair of monumental vases for $508,000 in December 2025 alone. Mid-range lacquered vases (circa 1925) cluster between $10,000 and $152,000 depending on size, decoration, and provenance. Smaller objects—coupes, footed vases, lipstick holders, bonbonnières—trade between $5,000 and $36,000. The market is concentrated in Christie's and Sotheby's for premium lots, with Artcurial, Tajan, Aguttes, and Piasa providing a strong Parisian mid-market. Liquidity is healthy and growing: 47 priced lots in the trailing 12 months versus 33 in the prior period, suggesting sustained collector demand.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- Decorative Art
- Twentieth Century Design
Value drivers
- Medium and technique: lacquered panels, hammered metal vases, and screens are the most recognized work types at auction.
- Attribution and authenticity: Dunand's workshop produced pieces under his direction; documented provenance strengthens value.
- Condition: lacquer surfaces are fragile; cracks, losses, or inappropriate restoration significantly affect value.
- Provenance and exhibition history: pieces with documented exhibition or commission history (e.g., ocean liner commissions, Exposition Internationale 1925) command premiums.
- Medium and technique: lacquered panels, screens, and furniture with original lacquer surfaces command the highest premiums; hammered-metal-only vases and small accessories trade at lower multiples.
- Scale: monumental vases (36+ inches) and full-size furniture/mirrors dominate the top of the price range; tabletop objects and small accessories occupy the $5,000–$36,000 band.
Appraisal caveats
- No auction-house price records were available in the source pack; Appraisily/Invaluable sale data should be consulted for comparable lots.
- Workshop-assisted pieces may be attributed to 'Atelier Jean Dunand' rather than the artist alone, which can affect appraisal value.
- Price data includes 681 priced lots out of 952 total; 271 lots lacked published price-realized figures (e.g., unsold, withdrawn, or price undisclosed), which may skew the lower end of the distribution.
- Currency mix: recent lots are priced in USD, EUR, and CHF. Median and quartile figures from the Appraisily index are normalized, but lot-level prices are in their original sale currency.
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- Wikidata library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
- VIAF library authority
- Library of Congress library authority
- RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History museum or university
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 Jean Dunand 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 Jean Dunand artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.