> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bada-shanren-2 · updated 2026-11-03

# Bada Shanren (1626–1705)

## What is Bada Shanren’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 274 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.

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

| # | 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 | 松鹿图 | 设色纸本 | $123,985 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2010 |
| 10 | Fish and Music | 水墨纸本 | $115,107 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Apr 2011 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 42 | $3,042 |
| Works on paper | 16 | $819 |
| Paintings | 23 | $346 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $29,420 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 18 | $3,081 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $564 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 274 results from 25 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Bada Shanren is a Chinese artist with 359 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $2,834. 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.

## What is a Bada Shanren work worth?

Across 274 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bada Shanren work is $2,834.

The median Bada Shanren work on paper sells for $5,669 across 95 lots.

The median Bada Shanren painting sells for $768 across 47 lots.

The median Bada Shanren print sells for $598 across 3 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Bada Shanren work on papers typically sell for $1,668–$9,958 (the middle half of 32 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 | $598 | $5,181 | 75% | 2025-11-23 |
| Paintings | 50 | $768‡ | $1.8M‡ | 94% | 2026-09-09 |
| Works on Paper | 100 | $5,669†‡ | $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 $598 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) | 32 | $1,668–$9,958†‡ | $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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Bada Shanren worth?

Across 274 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bada Shanren work is $2,834. The median Bada Shanren work on paper sells for $5,669 across 95 lots. The median Bada Shanren painting sells for $768 across 47 lots. The median Bada Shanren print sells for $598 across 3 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Bada Shanren work on papers typically sell for $1,668–$9,958 (the middle half of 32 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 95 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bada Shanren work on paper is $5,669. 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 32 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Bada Shanren auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bada-shanren-2 (updated 2026-11-03).

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.