> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bao-shichen · updated 2026-11-03

# Bao Shichen (1775–1855)

## What is Bao Shichen’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 107 auction results for Bao Shichen at 17 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,288 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,464–$4,143, n=6). The auction record is $88,144 for Preface of the Orchid Pavilion (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preface of the Orchid Pavilion, 1775 | Ink | $88,144 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 2 | Calligraphy Couplet in Xingshu, 1828 | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $35,459 | Sotheby's | Apr 2014 |
| 3 | Calligraphy in Running-Standard Script, 1775 | Hanging scrolls | $30,339 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 4 | Jie Lin Yan Zhenqing 'Zheng Zuo Tie' | Hanging scroll | $21,086 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2014 |
| 5 | Running Script Calligraphy, 1775 | Hanging scrolls | $16,090 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 6 | 包世臣 草书 手卷 | 水墨纸本 | $9,040 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2011 |
| 7 | 包世臣 对联 立轴 | 水墨纸本 | $6,453 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | May 2008 |
| 8 | Calligraphy, 1775 | Ink | $6,166 | Christie's | Dec 2022 |
| 9 | Calligraphy in Running Script, 1775 | Hanging scroll, ink on gold-flecked colour paper | $5,733 | Christie's | Nov 2013 |
| 10 | Bodhidharma, 1855 | Ink on paper | $5,246 | Bonhams | Nov 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 14 | $5,041 |
| Other | 10 | $4,635 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $5,733 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $4,264 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 107 results from 17 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Bao Shichen is a Chinese artist with 145 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $4,594. 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 Bao Shichen is recorded as sold in 2025 for $4,928; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Bao Shichen work worth?

Across 107 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bao Shichen work is $4,594.

The median Bao Shichen work on paper sells for $5,246 across 44 lots.

The median Bao Shichen sculpture sells for $24,229 across 1 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Bao Shichen work on papers typically sell for $3,565–$9,040 (the middle half of 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 1 | — | — | — | 2010-01-19 |
| Works on Paper | 46 | $5,246‡ | $88,144 | 95.7% | 2025-12-23 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $24,229‡ | $24,229‡ | — | 2025-09-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $35,459 | $88,144 | — | 2021-11-29 |

‡ 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) | 5 | $1,907–$3,543‡ | $1,944‡ | $14,473‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $2,302–$9,521‡ | $4,264‡ | $88,144 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 21 | $3,565–$9,040‡ | $5,733‡ | $16,282‡ |

‡ 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 | 2021 | $88,144 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $35,459 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $24,229‡ |

‡ 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 Bao Shichen worth?

Across 107 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bao Shichen work is $4,594. The median Bao Shichen work on paper sells for $5,246 across 44 lots. The median Bao Shichen sculpture sells for $24,229 across 1 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Bao Shichen work on papers typically sell for $3,565–$9,040 (the middle half of 21 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 Bao Shichen work on paper?

Based on 44 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bao Shichen work on paper is $5,246. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Bao Shichen's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bao Shichen work on paper is $88,144.

### What is the average price of a large Bao Shichen work on paper?

Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Bao Shichen work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $5,733, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium Bao Shichen work on paper?

Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Bao Shichen work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,264, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Bao Shichen's auction record?

Bao Shichen's auction record is $88,144, set in 2021.

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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, “Bao Shichen auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bao-shichen (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.