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

# Cai Yuanpei (1868–1940)

## What is Cai Yuanpei’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 96 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.

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

| # | 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 | Letter from Cai Yuanpei to Chen Lu | 水墨纸本 | $47,316 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2017 |
| 7 | CALLIGRAPHY COUPLET IN XINGSHU | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $41,743 | Sotheby's | Oct 2011 |
| 8 | Letter to Wang Yunwu | Ink on paper, framed | $39,018 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 9 | CALLIGRAPHY COUPLET IN LISHU, 1931 | Ink and colour on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $27,419 | Sotheby's | Oct 2009 |
| 10 | Letter to Wang Boqun | Letter/correspondence | $21,372 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Dec 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 15 | $14,944 |
| Other | 15 | $11,837 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $12,913 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $6,531 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 96 results from 15 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Cai Yuanpei is a Chinese artist with 130 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $5,104. 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.

## What is a Cai Yuanpei work worth?

Across 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cai Yuanpei work is $5,104.

The median Cai Yuanpei work on paper sells for $9,026 across 34 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 | 38 | $9,026‡ | $246,958‡ | 89.5% | 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) | 9 | $2,461–$6,606‡ | $4,922‡ | $73,487 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $4,134–$116,643‡ | $61,943‡ | $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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Cai Yuanpei worth?

Across 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cai Yuanpei work is $5,104. The median Cai Yuanpei work on paper sells for $9,026 across 34 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 34 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 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Cai Yuanpei work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $61,943, 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.

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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, “Cai Yuanpei auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cai-yuanpei-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.