> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/dong-zuobin · updated 2026-11-03

# Dong Zuobin (1895–1963)

## What is Dong Zuobin’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 166 auction results for Dong Zuobin at 18 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,098 including buyer’s premium (middle half $902–$4,701, n=14). The auction record is $67,724 for Calligraphy Couplet in Jiaguwen (2015, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calligraphy Couplet in Jiaguwen, 1954 | Ink on gold-flecked paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $67,724 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| 2 | Desire Scenery No. 1382, 2000 | Ink, coffee and tea on silk cotton paper | $64,474 | Christie's | Jun 2015 |
| 3 | Calligraphy Couplet in Jiaguwen, 1958 | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $51,577 | Sotheby's | Apr 2014 |
| 4 | POEM IN JIAGUWEN, 1951 | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $35,365 | Sotheby's | Apr 2011 |
| 5 | Calligraphy in Oracle Bone Script, 1895 | Ink | $35,000 | Christie's | Sep 2017 |
| 6 | Calligraphy in Oracle Bone Script, 1895 | Ink | $33,458 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 7 | Calligraphic Couplet in Oracle Script, 1895 | Pair of hanging scrolls, ink on patterned paper | $27,500 | Christie's | Sep 2017 |
| 8 | Couplet Calligraphy in Oracle Script, 1895 | Two scrolls mounted as a hanging scroll, ink on paper | $25,651 | Christie's | Apr 2005 |
| 9 | 甲骨文言联, 1953 | Hanging scroll | $24,255 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2016 |
| 10 | Calligraphy, 1895 | Ink | $21,250 | Christie's | Sep 2017 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 41 | $6,423 |
| Other | 32 | $2,476 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $6,423 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 36 | $4,971 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $3,050 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 166 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Dong Zuobin is a Chinese artist with 208 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $3,753. 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 Dong Zuobin sold in 2026 for $4,096, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Dong Zuobin work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Dong Zuobin on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/dong-zuobin?ref=kg:dong-zuobin) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Dong Zuobin work worth?

Across 166 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Dong Zuobin work is $3,753.

The median Dong Zuobin work on paper sells for $4,750 across 65 lots.

The median Dong Zuobin painting sells for $1,671 across 1 lots.

The median Dong Zuobin sculpture sells for $2,464 across 1 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Dong Zuobin work on papers typically sell for $3,249–$5,665 (the middle half of 38 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 1 | $1,671 | $1,671 | — | 2018-12-08 |
| Works on Paper | 68 | $4,750‡ | $67,724 | 95.6% | 2026-09-17 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $2,464‡ | $2,464‡ | — | 2025-12-23 |
| Photography | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $43,471 | $67,724 | — | 2018-05-29 |

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

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $1,422–$4,375‡ | $3,256‡ | $16,250 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 38 | $3,249–$5,665‡ | $4,521‡ | $35,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $3,637–$19,919 | $6,423 | $64,474 |

‡ 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 | $67,724 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $64,474 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $2,464‡ |
| Paintings | 2018 | $1,671 |

‡ 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 Dong Zuobin worth?

Across 166 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Dong Zuobin work is $3,753. The median Dong Zuobin work on paper sells for $4,750 across 65 lots. The median Dong Zuobin painting sells for $1,671 across 1 lots. The median Dong Zuobin sculpture sells for $2,464 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Dong Zuobin work on papers typically sell for $3,249–$5,665 (the middle half of 38 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 Dong Zuobin work on paper?

Based on 65 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Dong Zuobin work on paper is $4,750. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Dong Zuobin's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Dong Zuobin work on paper is $67,724.

### What is the average price of a medium Dong Zuobin work on paper?

Based on 38 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Dong Zuobin work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,521, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Dong Zuobin's auction record?

Dong Zuobin's auction record is $67,724, set in 2015.

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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, “Dong Zuobin auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/dong-zuobin (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.