Samuel Shelley Auction Prices and Value Guide

Samuel Shelley auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 184 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Samuel Shelley auction prices: quick answer

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

Artist
Samuel Shelley
Source records
184
Market update
2026-02-16

Samuel Shelley market snapshot

Samuel Shelley shows solid auction liquidity with 107 tracked lots. Median realized sale is around $950. Category concentration is still broad or sparse. Last 12 months recorded 5 sales. Latest recorded sale: 2025-12-03.

Realized price distribution

  • Under $1,000 (53.7% · 36 sales)
  • $1,000 to $10,000 (40.3% · 27 sales)
  • $10,000+ (6.0% · 4 sales)
Median sale (last 12 months)
$600
Sales recorded (last 12 months)
5
Median shift vs prior year
+50.0%
Latest recorded sale
2025-12-03

Artist context

About Samuel Shelley

Samuel Shelley (circa 1750–1808) was an English miniaturist and watercolour painter active in London during the late Georgian period. Born in Whitechapel, he built a reputation for finely executed portrait miniatures, often painted on ivory, as well as watercolour figure subjects and genre scenes. Shelley also worked as an illustrator and engraver, reflecting the range of skills demanded of commercial artists in eighteenth-century Britain. His portraits capture the sitters and social circles of his era with compact precision. Works by Shelley are held in major public collections including the Tate, confirming his recognized place within the British miniature painting tradition.

British portrait miniature tradition (Georgian era)Portrait miniatures on ivoryWatercolourEngravingPortraitsGenre scenesFigures

Common works and media

Collectors are most likely to encounter Shelley's work in the form of portrait miniatures on ivory, typically oval or rectangular in format and often housed in period frames or lockets. Watercolour figure studies and genre subjects also appear. Engraved plates after his designs circulate less frequently but are part of his documented output. Works range from intimate commissioned portraits to small-scale illustrative compositions.

Market and appraisal context

Samuel Shelley's work appears most often in the portrait miniature and British watercolour categories at auction. Key factors affecting appraisal include the condition of the ivory support and painted surface, whether the work is signed or bears reliable attribution, and whether the sitter can be identified. Provenance linking a piece to a notable collection or historical figure can significantly increase its value. No published catalogue raisonné was identified, so attribution should be supported by comparison with documented works in institutions such as the Tate.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Appraisal caveats

  • No catalogue raisonné or published oeuvre catalogue was identified in the available sources, which complicates definitive attribution.
  • The artist's death date is recorded as approximately late 1808 by RKD and as '?1808' by Tate; the exact date remains uncertain.
  • Market data in the source pack is limited; auction records and comparable lots from major houses should be consulted for current valuation.

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 Samuel Shelley

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Samuel Shelley 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 Samuel Shelley artwork?

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