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

# Cao Kejia (1906–1979)

## What is Cao Kejia’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 97 auction results for Cao Kejia at 14 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $857 including buyer’s premium (middle half $487–$1,265, n=7). The auction record is $33,451 for 猫戏图 (2020, China Zhonghongxin International Auction). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 猫戏图 | Ink and color on paper (implied by Chinese painting description) | $33,451 | China Zhonghongxin International Auction | Dec 2020 |
| 2 | Longevity and Felicity, 1965 | Ink and color on paper | $27,144 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2026 |
| 3 | Cats, 1947 | Ink and colour on paper | $17,735 | Bonhams | Nov 2013 |
| 4 | Cat | — | $13,336 | Beijing Hanhai Auction (北京翰海拍卖) | Jun 2015 |
| 5 | 耄耋长春, 1972 | 纸本 | $6,227 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Sep 2021 |
| 6 | Cat, Asters and Insects, 1948 | Ink and color on paper fan, bamboo guards | $4,095 | Freeman's Hindman | Jun 2022 |
| 7 | 花丛狸猫 | 设色纸本 | $3,784 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2007 |
| 8 | Cat and Butterflies, 1906 | Ink and colour on paper | $3,619 | Bonhams | Nov 2021 |
| 9 | Cat Playing, 1906 | Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper | $3,241 | Christie's | Jul 2010 |
| 10 | 耄耋春深 | 设色纸本 | $2,733 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Mar 2006 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 8 | $2,418 |
| Works on paper | 7 | $1,550 |
| Paintings | 8 | $1,173 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 15 | $2,103 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $980 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 97 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Cao Kejia is a Chinese artist with 127 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $2,728. 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 Cao Kejia sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $3,247 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Cao Kejia work worth?

Across 97 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cao Kejia work is $2,728.

The median Cao Kejia painting sells for $1,840 across 21 lots.

The median Cao Kejia work on paper sells for $2,011 across 11 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 | 21 | $1,840†‡ | $33,451 | — | 2026-08-11 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $2,011‡ | $17,735 | 78.6% | 2025-11-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $27,144 | $33,451 | — | 2026-07-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $902–$1,303‡ | $980‡ | $2,121‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $1,840–$3,815†‡ | $2,858†‡ | $27,144 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $879–$3,335‡ | $2,148‡ | $17,735 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $33,451 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $27,144 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $17,735 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $3,619 |

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 Cao Kejia worth?

Across 97 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cao Kejia work is $2,728. The median Cao Kejia painting sells for $1,840 across 21 lots. The median Cao Kejia work on paper sells for $2,011 across 11 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 Cao Kejia painting?

Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cao Kejia painting is $1,840. 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 Cao Kejia's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Cao Kejia painting is $33,451.

### What is the average price of a Cao Kejia work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cao Kejia work on paper is $2,011. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Cao Kejia's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Cao Kejia work on paper is $17,735.

### What is Cao Kejia's auction record?

Cao Kejia's auction record is $33,451, set in 2020.

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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, “Cao Kejia auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cao-kejia (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.