> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cheng-shifa · updated 2026-11-02

# Cheng Shifa (1921–2007)

## What is Cheng Shifa’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 2,328 auction results for Cheng Shifa at 30 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,407 including buyer’s premium (middle half $650–$8,827, n=173). The auction record is $2,185,036 for FLOWERS, LANDSCAPES AND FIGURES (2005, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FLOWERS, LANDSCAPES AND FIGURES, 1988-1989 | Ink and colour on paper | $2,185,036 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 2 | CLOUDS AND TREES, 1988 | Ink and colour on paper | $1,201,770 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 3 | IN the Dream Scroll, 1987 | Ink and colour on paper | $874,014 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 4 | FLOWER AND BIRDS, 1987 | Ink and colour on paper | $393,307 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 5 | Goddess, 1977 | Ink and color on paper | $343,396 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2020 |
| 6 | 江村暮霭, 1955 | 镜片 | $325,379 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Dec 2011 |
| 7 | Ladies, 1986 | Ink and colour on paper | $290,335 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 8 | Various Subjects, 1921 | Ink and colour on paper, album of twelve leaves | $288,801 | Bonhams | May 2017 |
| 9 | GIRLS AND DEER, 1978 | Ink and colour on paper | $284,055 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 10 | Fengjiu Qiu Shen, 1993年作 | 设色纸本 | $248,473 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 109 | $9,635 |
| Other | 277 | $7,903 |
| Works on paper | 93 | $6,532 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 31 | $37,073 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 188 | $9,599 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 47 | $7,402 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 2,328 results from 30 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Cheng Shifa is a Chinese artist with 2,980 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $10,428. 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 Cheng Shifa sold in 2026 for $15,623, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Cheng Shifa work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Cheng Shifa on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cheng-shifa?ref=kg:cheng-shifa) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Cheng Shifa work worth?

Across 2,328 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cheng Shifa work is $10,428.

The median Cheng Shifa painting sells for $12,101 across 450 lots.

The median Cheng Shifa work on paper sells for $7,693 across 206 lots.

The median Cheng Shifa photograph sells for $17,499 across 22 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Cheng Shifa paintings typically sell for $7,377–$28,796 (the middle half of 157 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Cheng Shifa work on papers typically sell for $2,124–$18,853 (the middle half of 90 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 | 11 | $2,189† | $8,166 | 90.9% | 2025-03-14 |
| Paintings | 480 | $12,101†‡ | $498,187‡ | 93.8% | 2026-09-11 |
| Works on Paper | 215 | $7,693†‡ | $2.2M | 95.8% | 2026-10-28 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $16,829 | $16,829 | — | 2010-12-14 |
| Photography | 23 | $17,499†‡ | $194,982† | 95.7% | 2025-12-23 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 54 | $187,860†‡ | $2.2M | — | 2025-07-05 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Cheng Shifa's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (11 lots) median $2,189 with 90.9% sell-through. Paintings (480 lots) median $12,101, record $498,187. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Cheng Shifa painting sells for around 5.5× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 54 lots) the median is $187,860.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 59 | $2,651–$11,744‡ | $7,516‡ | $53,377‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 157 | $7,377–$28,796‡ | $17,916‡ | $126,381 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $23,724–$129,038†‡ | $73,520†‡ | $498,187‡ |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $2,953–$13,548‡ | $5,695‡ | $2.2M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 90 | $2,124–$18,853‡ | $7,405‡ | $805,254‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 22 | $14,396–$144,012‡ | $45,725‡ | $1.2M |

‡ 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 | 2005 | $2.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $1.2M |
| Paintings | 2011 | $498,187‡ |
| Paintings | 2011 | $325,379 |
| Photography | 2022 | $194,982† |
| Photography | 2017 | $44,443† |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2010 | $16,829 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $8,166 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 Cheng Shifa worth?

Across 2,328 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Cheng Shifa work is $10,428. The median Cheng Shifa painting sells for $12,101 across 450 lots. The median Cheng Shifa work on paper sells for $7,693 across 206 lots. The median Cheng Shifa photograph sells for $17,499 across 22 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Cheng Shifa paintings typically sell for $7,377–$28,796 (the middle half of 157 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Cheng Shifa work on papers typically sell for $2,124–$18,853 (the middle half of 90 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 Cheng Shifa painting?

Based on 450 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cheng Shifa painting is $12,101. 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 Cheng Shifa's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Cheng Shifa painting is $498,187. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Cheng Shifa work on paper?

Based on 206 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cheng Shifa work on paper is $7,693. 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 Cheng Shifa's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Cheng Shifa work on paper is $2,185,036.

### What is the average price of a Cheng Shifa photograph?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Cheng Shifa photograph is $17,499. 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 Cheng Shifa's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Cheng Shifa photograph is $194,982. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $194,982 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a medium Cheng Shifa painting?

Based on 157 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Cheng Shifa painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $17,916, 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 medium Cheng Shifa work on paper?

Based on 90 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Cheng Shifa work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $7,405, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Cheng Shifa's auction record?

Cheng Shifa's auction record is $2,185,036, set in 2005.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Cheng Shifa auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cheng-shifa (updated 2026-11-02).

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.