Kang Youwei (1858–1927)
What is Kang Youwei’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 553 auction results for Kang Youwei at 27 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,580 including buyer’s premium (middle half $606–$5,432, n=51). The auction record is $145,168 for Calligraphy Couplet (2006, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calligraphy Couplet | Ink on paper | $145,168 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 2 | Two poems of old virtue in cursive script for Kang Tongbi | Ink on paper | $134,372 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2020 |
| 3 | Calligraphy Couplet 集經石峪五言聯 | Ink on paper, set of two, framed | $121,733 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 4 | COUPLET CALLIGRAPHY | Ink on paper | $109,252 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 5 | 赠李微尘楷书十言 | 镜片 (mirror/lens/plate) | $97,773 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Dec 2015 |
| 6 | 游南湖诗 | Hanging scroll | $81,907 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2013 |
| 7 | 行书五言联 镜心 | 水墨纸本 | $70,992 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 8 | 康有为 行书五言联 立轴 | 水墨纸本 | $70,521 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2016 |
| 9 | KANG YOUWEI (1858-1927) | Ink on silk | $69,921 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 10 | 康有为 行书五言联 对联 | 水墨纸本 | $68,985 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2011 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 103 | $8,694 |
| Works on paper | 49 | $1,838 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 68 | $10,091 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 18 | $4,861 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $3,049 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 553 results from 27 houses · How we compute these figures
Kang Youwei is a Chinese artist with 754 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $10,043. 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 Kang Youwei sold in 2026 for $39,057, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Kang Youwei record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Kang Youwei on OpeningBid →What is a Kang Youwei work worth?
Across 552 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kang Youwei work is $10,043.
The median Kang Youwei work on paper sells for $14,416 across 246 lots.
The median Kang Youwei painting sells for $39,826 across 2 lots.
The median Kang Youwei print sells for $7,025 across 2 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Kang Youwei work on papers typically sell for $5,477–$52,259 (the middle half of 170 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Kang Youwei work on papers typically sell for $4,797–$18,583 (the middle half of 43 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 | $7,025 | $9,533 | — | 2025-09-10 |
| Paintings | 2 | $39,826 | $64,232 | — | 2024-11-06 |
| Works on Paper | 258 | $14,416‡ | $418,113‡ | 95.3% | 2026-09-15 |
| Photography | 1 | $5,527‡ | $5,527‡ | — | 2023-03-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 19 | $129,774‡ | $418,113‡ | — | 2023-07-04 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Kang Youwei's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $7,025. Paintings (2 lots) median $39,826, record $64,232. A typical Kang Youwei painting sells for around 5.7× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 19 lots) the median is $129,774.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $5,807–$13,601‡ | $8,129‡ | $129,774‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 43 | $4,797–$18,583‡ | $8,345‡ | $69,938‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 170 | $5,477–$52,259‡ | $18,577‡ | $418,113‡ |
‡ 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 | 2021 | $418,113‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $299,790‡ |
| Paintings | 2022 | $64,232 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $15,421 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $9,533 |
| Photography | 2023 | $5,527‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $4,517 |
‡ 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 Kang Youwei worth?
Across 552 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kang Youwei work is $10,043. The median Kang Youwei work on paper sells for $14,416 across 246 lots. The median Kang Youwei painting sells for $39,826 across 2 lots. The median Kang Youwei print sells for $7,025 across 2 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Kang Youwei work on papers typically sell for $5,477–$52,259 (the middle half of 170 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Kang Youwei work on papers typically sell for $4,797–$18,583 (the middle half of 43 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 Kang Youwei work on paper?
Based on 246 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kang Youwei work on paper is $14,416. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Kang Youwei's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Kang Youwei work on paper is $418,113. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a large Kang Youwei work on paper?
Based on 170 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Kang Youwei work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $18,577, 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 Kang Youwei work on paper?
Based on 43 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Kang Youwei work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,345, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Kang Youwei's auction record?
Kang Youwei's auction record is $418,113, set in 2021. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Kang Youwei record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Kang Youwei on OpeningBid →