> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cao-yu · updated 2026-11-01

# Cao Yu (1910–1996)

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

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 29 auction results for Cao Yu at 10 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,551 including buyer’s premium (middle half $486–$2,461, n=8). The auction record is $4,384 for 曹禺题词、周而复致路工信札一组 (2025, China Zhonghongxin International Auction). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 曹禺题词、周而复致路工信札一组 | Modern manuscript, two letters and two pages | $4,384 | China Zhonghongxin International Auction | Mar 2025 |
| 2 | Calligraphy in Running Script, 1985, 1910 | Ink on paper, scroll | $2,468 | Bonhams | Feb 2025 |
| 3 | Calligraphy in Running Script, 1985 | Ink on paper | $2,459 | Bonhams | Feb 2025 |
| 4 | Calligraphy in Running Script, 1910 | Ink | $1,750 | Christie's | Sep 2018 |
| 5 | 中央大学戏剧概论考绩单 | 水墨纸本 | $1,690 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2017 |
| 6 | Calligraphy to Wu Peizhen, 1980 | Ink on paper | $1,633 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2025 |
| 7 | Cao Yu Dramatic Works (Three volumes, signed and inscribed to Linden), 1941-1942 | Books | $1,469 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2025 |
| 8 | 行书“鹤骨松心”, 1990年作 | 水墨纸本 | $1,157 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2010 |
| 9 | 行书诗句 | 水墨纸本 | $524 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jan 2016 |
| 10 | 攀山千条路，共仰一月高, 1980年写本 | Calligraphy (running script) | $488 | China Zhonghongxin International Auction | Dec 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 6 | $1,692 |
| Other | 6 | $840 |


Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 29 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Cao Yu is a Chinese artist with 38 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $1,164. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Cao Yu sold in 2025 for $1,633, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Cao Yu work worth?

Across 28 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cao Yu work is $1,164.

The median Cao Yu work on paper sells for $1,692 across 10 lots.

The median Cao Yu print sells for $800 across 2 lots.

The median Cao Yu painting sells for $2,660 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 | 2 | $800‡ | $1,164‡ | — | 2023-03-27 |
| Paintings | 1 | $2,660‡ | $2,660‡ | — | 2015-12-07 |
| Works on Paper | 12 | $1,692‡ | $11,526‡ | 83.3% | 2025-12-17 |

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

Cao Yu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $800. Paintings (1 lots) median $2,660, record $2,660. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Cao Yu painting sells for around 3.3× the price of a typical print.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $857–$5,480‡ | $1,750‡ | $11,526‡ |

‡ 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 | 2015 | $11,526‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $5,987‡ |
| Paintings | 2015 | $2,660‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $1,164‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $436‡ |

‡ 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 Yu worth?

Across 28 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cao Yu work is $1,164. The median Cao Yu work on paper sells for $1,692 across 10 lots. The median Cao Yu print sells for $800 across 2 lots. The median Cao Yu painting sells for $2,660 across 1 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cao Yu work on paper is $1,692. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Cao Yu work on paper is $11,526. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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

Cao Yu's auction record is $11,526, set in 2015. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Cao Yu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cao-yu (updated 2026-11-01).

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.