Chen Lifu (1900–2001)
What is Chen Lifu’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 204 auction results for Chen Lifu at 13 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $537 including buyer’s premium (middle half $399–$805, n=15). The auction record is $49,695 for 温故以知新与研新以证故 (2011, 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 | 温故以知新与研新以证故 | Letter | $49,695 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 2 | 论“文艺与文化复兴” | Letter | $31,947 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 3 | 论“文艺与社会风气” | Letter | $28,397 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 4 | 教育回忆 | Letter | $26,622 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 5 | Jing Xin | 水墨纸本 | $17,748 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 6 | Jing Xin | 水墨纸本 | $9,761 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 7 | 行书题词, 1978年作 | 水墨纸本 | $9,273 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2015 |
| 8 | Chen Lifu: Q&A with Reporters | Letter | $8,902 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2015 |
| 9 | 行书“至诚” 镜心 | 水墨纸本 | $7,418 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2015 |
| 10 | 陈立夫 1978年作 行书题词 镜心, 1978年作 | 水墨纸本 | $5,564 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2015 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 44 | $1,823 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $697 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $5,564 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $1,609 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 20 | $989 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 204 results from 13 houses · How we compute these figures
Chen Lifu is a Chinese artist with 252 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $1,640. 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 Chen Lifu sold in 2025 for $2,536, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Chen Lifu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Chen Lifu on OpeningBid →What is a Chen Lifu work worth?
Across 204 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Chen Lifu work is $1,640.
The median Chen Lifu work on paper sells for $1,825 across 91 lots.
The median Chen Lifu painting sells for $636 across 4 lots.
The median Chen Lifu print sells for $441 across 2 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Chen Lifu work on papers typically sell for $937–$2,746 (the middle half of 55 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 | 2 | $441‡ | $727‡ | — | 2023-03-27 |
| Paintings | 4 | $636‡ | $815 | — | 2026-01-22 |
| Works on Paper | 92 | $1,825‡ | $35,496 | — | 2026-04-25 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $35,496 | $74,542 | — | 2011-06-03 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Chen Lifu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $441. Paintings (4 lots) median $636, record $815. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 10 lots) the median is $35,496.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $5,658–$11,314‡ | $9,517‡ | $35,496 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 55 | $937–$2,746‡ | $1,077‡ | $35,496 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 18 | $1,881–$9,044‡ | $4,092‡ | $28,397 |
‡ 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 | 2011 | $35,496 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $35,496 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $815 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $727‡ |
| Paintings | 2024 | $636 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $155‡ |
‡ 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 Chen Lifu worth?
Across 204 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Chen Lifu work is $1,640. The median Chen Lifu work on paper sells for $1,825 across 91 lots. The median Chen Lifu painting sells for $636 across 4 lots. The median Chen Lifu print sells for $441 across 2 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Chen Lifu work on papers typically sell for $937–$2,746 (the middle half of 55 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 Chen Lifu work on paper?
Based on 91 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Chen Lifu work on paper is $1,825. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Chen Lifu's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Chen Lifu work on paper is $35,496.
What is the average price of a medium Chen Lifu work on paper?
Based on 55 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Chen Lifu work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,077, 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 large Chen Lifu work on paper?
Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Chen Lifu work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $4,092, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Chen Lifu's auction record?
Chen Lifu's auction record is $74,728, set in 2011. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Chen Lifu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Chen Lifu on OpeningBid →