Cao Li (b. 1954)
Cao Li is a Chinese artist with 68 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $21,327. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Cao Li is recorded as sold in 2025 for $31,210; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Cao Li record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Cao Li on OpeningBid →What is a Cao Li work worth?
Across 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cao Li work is $21,327.
The median Cao Li painting sells for $23,563 across 38 lots.
The median Cao Li print sells for $233 across 3 lots.
The median Cao Li work on paper sells for $16,405 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 | 3 | $233 | $235 | — | 2026-05-10 |
| Paintings | 39 | $23,563‡ | $354,000 | 97.4% | 2024-06-12 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $16,405‡ | $16,405‡ | — | 2009-11-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $138,984‡ | $354,000 | — | 2018-06-20 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Cao Li's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $233. Paintings (39 lots) median $23,563, record $354,000. A typical Cao Li painting sells for around 101× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $138,984.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $6,808–$12,581‡ | $9,680‡ | $15,742‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 17 | $21,327–$31,787‡ | $26,742‡ | $129,850‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $25,865–$43,449‡ | $39,103‡ | $138,984‡ |
‡ 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 | 2014 | $354,000 |
| Paintings | 2018 | $138,984‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $16,405‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $235 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $233 |
‡ 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 Li worth?
Across 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cao Li work is $21,327. The median Cao Li painting sells for $23,563 across 38 lots. The median Cao Li print sells for $233 across 3 lots. The median Cao Li work on paper sells for $16,405 across 1 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a Cao Li painting?
Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cao Li painting is $23,563. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Cao Li's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Cao Li painting is $354,000.
What is the average price of a medium Cao Li painting?
Based on 17 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Cao Li painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $26,742, 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 small Cao Li painting?
Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Cao Li painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $9,680, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Cao Li's auction record?
Cao Li's auction record is $354,000, set in 2014.
See the full Cao Li record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Cao Li on OpeningBid →