> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cai-yu · updated 2026-11-01

# Cai Yu (1470–1541)

Cai Yu is a Chinese artist with 19 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $18,355. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Cai Yu sold in 2021 for $112,183, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Cai Yu work worth?

Across 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cai Yu work is $18,355.

The median Cai Yu work on paper sells for $19,210 across 6 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 6 | $19,210‡ | $112,183 | — | 2021-11-29 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $112,183 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $33,857‡ |

‡ 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 Cai Yu worth?

Across 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cai Yu work is $18,355. The median Cai Yu work on paper sells for $19,210 across 6 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Cai Yu's auction record?

Cai Yu's auction record is $112,183, set in 2021.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Cai Yu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cai-yu (updated 2026-11-01).

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.