> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ba-jin · updated 2026-11-02

# Ba Jin (1904–2005)

## What is Ba Jin’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 56 auction results for Ba Jin at 9 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,941 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,901–$3,960, n=36). The auction record is $7,920 for Letter to Jiang Deming (2025, China Guardian (中国嘉德)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Letter to Jiang Deming | 水墨纸本 | $7,920 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2025 |
| 2 | Letters to Jiang Deming | 水墨纸本 | $6,019 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2025 |
| 3 | Letters to Jiang Deming | 水墨纸本 | $5,544 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2025 |
| 4 | Table of Contents and Postscript of Ba Jin Xuan Ji, 1980 | Ink on paper, six leaves | $5,181 | Sotheby's | Dec 2022 |
| 5 | Letter to Jiang Deming | 水墨纸本 | $4,752 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2025 |
| 6 | Letter to Jiang Deming | 水墨纸本 | $4,752 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2025 |
| 7 | Letters to Jiang Deming | 水墨纸本 | $4,752 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2025 |
| 8 | Letters to Jiang Deming | 水墨纸本 | $4,752 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2025 |
| 9 | Letters to Jiang Deming | 水墨纸本 | $4,435 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2025 |
| 10 | Letter to Jiang Deming | 水墨纸本 | $3,960 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2025 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 33 | $2,941 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 31 | $2,941 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 56 results from 9 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ba Jin is a Chinese artist with 65 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $2,941. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Ba Jin sold in 2026 for $2,941, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ba Jin work worth?

Across 56 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ba Jin work is $2,941.

The median Ba Jin work on paper sells for $3,010 across 34 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ba Jin work on papers typically sell for $1,901–$3,960 (the middle half of 26 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 34 | $3,010‡ | $8,280‡ | — | 2025-03-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $8,280‡ | $14,951‡ | — | 2025-03-24 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 26 | $1,901–$3,960 | $2,614 | $7,920 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $8,280‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $7,920 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Ba Jin worth?

Across 56 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ba Jin work is $2,941. The median Ba Jin work on paper sells for $3,010 across 34 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ba Jin work on papers typically sell for $1,901–$3,960 (the middle half of 26 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a Ba Jin work on paper?

Based on 34 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ba Jin work on paper is $3,010. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ba Jin's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ba Jin work on paper is $8,280. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a small Ba Jin work on paper?

Based on 26 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ba Jin work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,614, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Ba Jin's auction record?

Ba Jin's auction record is $14,951, set in 2022. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ba Jin auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ba-jin (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.