Bada Shanren (1626–1705)
What is Bada Shanren’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 275 auction results for Bada Shanren at 25 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $506 including buyer’s premium (middle half $317–$5,315, n=17). The auction record is $1,458,932 for LOTUS (2020, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LOTUS | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $1,458,932 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 2 | 行草杜诗册, 1688 | Ink on paper | $869,843 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Feb 2023 |
| 3 | 鹭石图 | Hanging scroll | $721,977 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2014 |
| 4 | 山芋 镱心 | 水墨纸本 | $350,278 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2016 |
| 5 | Pomegranate and Birds | 水墨纸本 | $236,161 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2010 |
| 6 | 闲适图 | Hanging scroll | $189,892 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 7 | 闲适图 | Hanging scroll | $189,892 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 8 | Ink Lotus | Ink | $158,065 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 9 | Fish and Music | 水墨纸本 | $115,107 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Apr 2011 |
| 10 | Flowers and Birds Handscroll, 1692年作 | 水墨纸本 | $92,295 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2012 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 32 | $3,501 |
| Works on paper | 15 | $826 |
| Paintings | 23 | $346 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $29,420 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 13 | $2,834 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $826 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 275 results from 25 houses · How we compute these figures
Bada Shanren is a Chinese artist with 361 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $2,808. 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 Bada Shanren sold in 2026 for $54,859, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Bada Shanren record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Bada Shanren on OpeningBid →What is a Bada Shanren work worth?
Across 275 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bada Shanren work is $2,808.
The median Bada Shanren work on paper sells for $5,582 across 96 lots.
The median Bada Shanren painting sells for $768 across 47 lots.
The median Bada Shanren print sells for $599 across 3 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Bada Shanren work on papers typically sell for $1,549–$9,406 (the middle half of 33 sold lots).
Large (over 120 cm) Bada Shanren work on papers typically sell for $1,739–$101,965 (the middle half of 29 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 4 | $599‡ | $5,181 | 75% | 2025-11-23 |
| Paintings | 50 | $768‡ | $1.8M‡ | 94% | 2026-09-09 |
| Works on Paper | 101 | $5,582†‡ | $8.4M‡ | 95% | 2026-09-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 33 | $350,278‡ | $8.4M‡ | — | 2024-12-17 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Bada Shanren's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (4 lots) median $599 with 75% sell-through. Paintings (50 lots) median $768, record $1,794,603. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 33 lots) the median is $350,278.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $700–$185,499‡ | $5,040‡ | $1.8M‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $650–$5,638‡ | $2,968‡ | $530,161‡ |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $2,258–$261,556‡ | $25,132‡ | $8.4M‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 33 | $1,549–$9,406†‡ | $4,148†‡ | $1.5M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 29 | $1,739–$101,965‡ | $8,097‡ | $5.6M‡ |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $8.4M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $5.6M‡ |
| Paintings | 2021 | $1.8M‡ |
| Paintings | 2021 | $1.6M‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $5,181 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $598 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Bada Shanren worth?
Across 275 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bada Shanren work is $2,808. The median Bada Shanren work on paper sells for $5,582 across 96 lots. The median Bada Shanren painting sells for $768 across 47 lots. The median Bada Shanren print sells for $599 across 3 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Bada Shanren work on papers typically sell for $1,549–$9,406 (the middle half of 33 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Bada Shanren work on papers typically sell for $1,739–$101,965 (the middle half of 29 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 Bada Shanren work on paper?
Based on 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bada Shanren work on paper is $5,582. 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 Bada Shanren's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Bada Shanren work on paper is $8,389,381. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Bada Shanren painting?
Based on 47 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bada Shanren painting is $768. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Bada Shanren's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Bada Shanren painting is $1,794,603. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a medium Bada Shanren work on paper?
Based on 33 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Bada Shanren work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,148, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 large Bada Shanren work on paper?
Based on 29 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Bada Shanren work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $8,097, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Bada Shanren's auction record?
Bada Shanren's auction record is $8,389,381, set in 2011. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Bada Shanren record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Bada Shanren on OpeningBid →