Cao Kun (1862–1938)
What is Cao Kun’s work worth?
As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 92 auction results for Cao Kun at 10 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,317 including buyer’s premium (middle half $475–$8,025, n=5). The auction record is $31,824 for 楷书七言联 (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 | 楷书七言联 | 水墨纸本 | $31,824 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2014 |
| 2 | Chrysanthemum and Stone | 纸本 | $28,316 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2013 |
| 3 | 楷书五言联 | 洒金笺纸本 | $24,540 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2013 |
| 4 | 楷书七言联 （二轴） | 洒金笺纸本 | $22,653 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2013 |
| 5 | Ink Plum Blossoms | 纸本 | $21,099 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2021 |
| 6 | 楷书八言联 镜心 | Calligraphy | $19,626 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2016 |
| 7 | Cheng Shan (a pair) | 设色纸本 | $18,720 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2014 |
| 8 | Untitled | Calligraphy on gold-sprinkled red paper | $11,969 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2020 |
| 9 | “寿”字 | 笺纸本 | $11,232 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2014 |
| 10 | 墨菊图 | 水墨纸本 | $11,232 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2014 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 13 | $11,232 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $3,247 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $8,977 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $7,723 |
Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 92 results from 10 houses · How we compute these figures
Cao Kun is a Chinese artist with 127 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $8,167. 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 Kun sold in 2025 for $8,167, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Cao Kun record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Cao Kun on OpeningBid →What is a Cao Kun work worth?
Across 93 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cao Kun work is $8,167.
The median Cao Kun work on paper sells for $6,721 across 36 lots.
The median Cao Kun painting sells for $14,822 across 11 lots.
The median Cao Kun print sells for $2,222 across 3 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Cao Kun work on papers typically sell for $3,712–$15,334 (the middle half of 26 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 3 | $2,222‡ | $11,974‡ | — | 2024-01-15 |
| Paintings | 11 | $14,822‡ | $28,493‡ | — | 2023-02-15 |
| Works on Paper | 36 | $6,721‡ | $142,188‡ | — | 2026-09-13 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $45,301‡ | $142,188‡ | — | 2020-10-17 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Cao Kun's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $2,222. Paintings (11 lots) median $14,822, record $28,493. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Cao Kun painting sells for around 6.7× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $45,301.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $5,875–$21,569‡ | $11,232‡ | $28,493‡ |
‡ 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) | 6 | $1,922–$6,026‡ | $3,558‡ | $35,203‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 26 | $3,712–$15,334‡ | $7,314‡ | $142,188‡ |
‡ 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 | $142,188‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $45,301‡ |
| Paintings | 2013 | $28,493‡ |
| Paintings | 2013 | $28,493‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $11,969 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $2,222 |
‡ 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 Cao Kun worth?
Across 93 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cao Kun work is $8,167. The median Cao Kun work on paper sells for $6,721 across 36 lots. The median Cao Kun painting sells for $14,822 across 11 lots. The median Cao Kun print sells for $2,222 across 3 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Cao Kun work on papers typically sell for $3,712–$15,334 (the middle half of 26 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 Cao Kun work on paper?
Based on 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cao Kun work on paper is $6,721. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Cao Kun's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Cao Kun work on paper is $142,188. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Cao Kun painting?
Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cao Kun painting is $14,822. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Cao Kun's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Cao Kun painting is $28,493. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a large Cao Kun work on paper?
Based on 26 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Cao Kun work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $7,314, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Cao Kun's auction record?
Cao Kun's auction record is $142,188, set in 2020. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Cao Kun record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Cao Kun on OpeningBid →