> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/chen-lifu-2 · updated 2026-11-03

# Chen Lifu (1900–2001)

## What is Chen Lifu’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 181 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 $74,542 for Letter from Chen Lifu to Chiang Ching-kuo (2011, 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 | Letter from Chen Lifu to Chiang Ching-kuo | Letter | $74,542 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 2 | Letter from Chen Lifu to Chiang Kai-shek | Letter | $53,244 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 3 | 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 |
| 4 | 论“如何复兴中国文化” | Letter | $49,695 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 5 | 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 |
| 6 | 论“修身与齐家” | Letter | $28,397 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 7 | 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 |
| 8 | 教育回忆 | Letter | $26,622 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 9 | 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 |
| 10 | Chen Lifu: Q&A with Reporters | Letter | $8,902 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2015 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 50 | $1,756 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $697 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $17,947 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $1,592 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 20 | $989 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 181 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Chen Lifu is a Chinese artist with 225 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $1,312. 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.

## What is a Chen Lifu work worth?

Across 181 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Chen Lifu work is $1,312.

The median Chen Lifu work on paper sells for $1,148 across 72 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 $888–$1,908 (the middle half of 46 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 | 73 | $1,148‡ | $18,550‡ | — | 2026-04-25 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $49,695 | $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, 7 lots) the median is $49,695.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $5,564–$5,936‡ | $5,565‡ | $9,273 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 46 | $888–$1,908‡ | $1,077‡ | $8,836‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $1,881–$6,870‡ | $4,031‡ | $18,550‡ |

‡ 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 | $18,550‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $14,590‡ |
| 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Chen Lifu worth?

Across 181 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Chen Lifu work is $1,312. The median Chen Lifu work on paper sells for $1,148 across 72 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 $888–$1,908 (the middle half of 46 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 72 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Chen Lifu work on paper is $1,148. 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 $18,550. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Chen Lifu work on paper?

Based on 46 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 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Chen Lifu work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $4,031, 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 $74,542, set in 2011.

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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, “Chen Lifu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/chen-lifu-2 (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.