> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lao-she-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Lao She (1899–1966)

## What is Lao She’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 37 auction results for Lao She at 11 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $771 including buyer’s premium (middle half $413–$1,385, n=7). The auction record is $35,718 for 行书毛主席诗 (2018, 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 | 行书毛主席诗, 1965年作 | 水墨纸本 | $35,718 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2018 |
| 2 | 书法五言联, 1963 | 书法 (calligraphy) | $27,477 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2016 |
| 3 | Xue Yuan Dong Liu | Hanging scroll | $12,254 | Sworders | Nov 2021 |
| 4 | Xue Yuan Dong Liu | Hanging scroll | $12,042 | Sworders | Nov 2021 |
| 5 | Letters from Lao She to Zhang Molin (for donations to the Association for Resistance) | Ink on paper | $6,397 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2025 |
| 6 | 楷书七言诗 | 水墨纸本 | $2,777 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2013 |
| 7 | 老舍楷书五言诗, 1965年写本 | Manuscript | $1,464 | China Zhonghongxin International Auction | Dec 2025 |
| 8 | Thirteen volumes including 'Sacrifice' and 'Four Generations Under One Roof, Part I: Confusion' | Books | $1,306 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2025 |
| 9 | 老舍 楷书, 1963 | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $771 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Sep 2026 |
| 10 | 老舍 扇面 （一幅） 镜心 | 扇面 (fan leaf) | $674 | Beijing Hanhai Auction (北京翰海拍卖) | Jun 2017 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 6 | $2,120 |
| Works on paper | 7 | $1,306 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $2,777 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 37 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lao She is a Chinese artist with 51 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $2,777. 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 Lao She sold in 2025 for $6,397, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Lao She work worth?

Across 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lao She work is $2,777.

The median Lao She work on paper sells for $19,405 across 11 lots.

The median Lao She print sells for $484 across 1 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 | 1 | $484 | $484 | — | 2025-09-10 |
| Works on Paper | 11 | $19,405‡ | $35,718 | — | 2026-09-17 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $2,777–$31,810‡ | $23,613‡ | $35,718 |

‡ 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 | 2018 | $35,718 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $32,088‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $484 |

‡ 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 Lao She worth?

Across 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lao She work is $2,777. The median Lao She work on paper sells for $19,405 across 11 lots. The median Lao She print sells for $484 across 1 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 Lao She work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lao She work on paper is $19,405. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Lao She's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lao She work on paper is $35,718.

### What is Lao She's auction record?

Lao She's auction record is $35,718, set in 2018.

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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, “Lao She auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lao-she-2 (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.