Cai Yuanpei (1868–1940)
What is Cai Yuanpei’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 98 auction results for Cai Yuanpei at 15 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,347 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,449–$14,944, n=13). The auction record is $121,453 for 行书七言联 (2014, Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 行书七言联 | 水墨纸本 | $121,453 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2014 |
| 2 | Seven-character Calligraphic Couplet in Running Script, 1868 | Hanging scrolls | $111,833 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 3 | CALLIGRAPHY IN KAISHU | Ink on paper, framed | $98,565 | Sotheby's | Apr 2009 |
| 4 | Calligraphy Couplet in Xingshu | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $89,271 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 5 | 行书五言联, 1929年作 | 水墨纸本 | $73,487 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2019 |
| 6 | CALLIGRAPHY COUPLET IN XINGSHU | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $41,743 | Sotheby's | Oct 2011 |
| 7 | Letter to Wang Yunwu | Ink on paper, framed | $39,018 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 8 | CALLIGRAPHY COUPLET IN LISHU, 1931 | Ink and colour on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $27,419 | Sotheby's | Oct 2009 |
| 9 | Letter to Wang Boqun | Letter/correspondence | $21,372 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 10 | Calligraphy in Running Script, 1868 | Ink on paper, scroll | $21,235 | Bonhams | Apr 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 15 | $14,944 |
| Other | 13 | $11,837 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $12,913 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $6,531 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 98 results from 15 houses · How we compute these figures
Cai Yuanpei is a Chinese artist with 135 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $5,917. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Cai Yuanpei sold in 2026 for $14,944, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Cai Yuanpei record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Cai Yuanpei on OpeningBid →What is a Cai Yuanpei work worth?
Across 98 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cai Yuanpei work is $5,917.
The median Cai Yuanpei work on paper sells for $9,026 across 38 lots.
The median Cai Yuanpei print sells for $1,548 across 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 1 | $1,548‡ | $1,548‡ | — | 2021-07-15 |
| Paintings | 1 | — | — | — | 2013-05-23 |
| Works on Paper | 42 | $9,026‡ | $246,958‡ | 90.5% | 2026-09-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $167,117‡ | $246,958‡ | — | 2020-10-17 |
‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $2,731–$12,966‡ | $5,627‡ | $73,487 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $3,720–$106,192‡ | $21,670‡ | $246,958‡ |
‡ 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 | 2020 | $246,958‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $212,781‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $1,548‡ |
‡ 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 Cai Yuanpei worth?
Across 98 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cai Yuanpei work is $5,917. The median Cai Yuanpei work on paper sells for $9,026 across 38 lots. The median Cai Yuanpei print sells for $1,548 across 1 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a Cai Yuanpei work on paper?
Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cai Yuanpei work on paper is $9,026. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Cai Yuanpei's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Cai Yuanpei work on paper is $246,958. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a large Cai Yuanpei work on paper?
Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Cai Yuanpei work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $21,670, 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 Cai Yuanpei work on paper?
Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Cai Yuanpei work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,627, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Cai Yuanpei's auction record?
Cai Yuanpei's auction record is $246,958, set in 2020. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Cai Yuanpei record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Cai Yuanpei on OpeningBid →