Phillips Will Auction Modigliani Sculpture in November
A rare limestone Tête sculpture is headed to auction in New York with an estimated value of up to $35 million.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Fine Art
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Phillips will offer a limestone sculpture by Amedeo Modigliani, titled Tête, at its marquee New York sales this November 2026. The work is expected to fetch between $28 million and $35 million at auction.
Why it matters
This auction presents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire one of only 26 surviving sculptures created by Modigliani. The sale reflects ongoing market interest in the artist, bolstered by recent high-value transactions involving his work.
Modigliani produced approximately 28 sculptures during his lifetime, with 26 currently surviving. The artist's highest auction record stands at $170.4 million for a painting sold in 2015.
The players
Phillips
Phillips is a global fine art auction house that specializes in contemporary art, design, and jewelry.
Amedeo Modigliani
Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian painter and sculptor known for his portraits and nudes in a modern style characterized by surreal elongation of faces and figures.
The details
Carved between 1911 and 1912, the limestone Tête is appearing fresh to the market after being held in a private collection for nearly 50 years. Phillips plans to leverage sustained buyer demand for Modigliani pieces, which has been evident in major sales throughout the past two years.
Timeline
2010: Christie's sold a stone head for $52.8 million.
2015: Painting Nu couché sold for $170.4 million.
2019: Christie's sold a Tête for $34.3 million.
2025: Modigliani portrait sold for $31.3 million in Paris.
November 2026: Phillips will offer Tête at auction in New York.
Industry Dynamics
The upcoming auction serves as a barometer for the high-end art market and follows the precedent set by the 2019 Christie's sale of a Modigliani Tête. This sale effectively updates the valuation landscape for Modigliani's rare sculptural works within the competitive auction sector.
Interested collectors and members of the public can anticipate the upcoming marquee auction event in New York this November. Access to the work prior to the sale is typically determined by auction house exhibition schedules.
The takeaway
This auction highlights the enduring scarcity and value of Modigliani's limited sculptural output. Collectors tracking the artist's market should note how this sale compares to previous results for his stone works.
Further reading
For more on the current market for rare works, visit New York City Fine Art.
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