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

# Cao Kun (1862–1938)

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

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 13 | $11,232 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $3,247 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Cao Kun is a Chinese artist with 126 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $8,179. 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 is recorded as sold in 2024 for $10,241; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Cao Kun work worth?

Across 92 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cao Kun work is $8,179.

The median Cao Kun work on paper sells for $6,933 across 35 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 $4,896–$15,379 (the middle half of 25 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‡ | $11,969 | — | 2024-01-15 |
| Paintings | 11 | $14,822‡ | $28,493‡ | — | 2023-02-15 |
| Works on Paper | 35 | $6,933‡ | $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) | 25 | $4,896–$15,379‡ | $7,484‡ | $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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Cao Kun worth?

Across 92 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cao Kun work is $8,179. The median Cao Kun work on paper sells for $6,933 across 35 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 $4,896–$15,379 (the middle half of 25 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 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cao Kun work on paper is $6,933. 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 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Cao Kun work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $7,484, 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.

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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 Kun auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cao-kun (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.