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

# Li Hongzhang (1823–1901)

## What is Li Hongzhang’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 213 auction results for Li Hongzhang at 22 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,129 including buyer’s premium (middle half $895–$2,763, n=25). The auction record is $186,482 for Calligraphy Couplet in Regular Script (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calligraphy Couplet in Regular Script | Ink on paper, a pair of hanging scrolls | $186,482 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 2 | Eight-Character Calligraphic Couplet in Running Script, 1823 | A pair of hanging scrolls, ink on gold roundel-patterned paper | $129,535 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| 3 | 行书唐诗, 1874年作 | 水墨纸本 | $88,308 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2014 |
| 4 | 李鸿章 行书八言联 立轴 | Hanging scroll | $72,821 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 5 | Eight-character running script couplet for Chen Youshan | Running script calligraphy | $71,129 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 6 | Calligraphy Couplet | Ink on red paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $56,758 | Sotheby's | Apr 2024 |
| 7 | CALLIGRAPHY IN RUNNING SCRIPT | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $56,250 | Sotheby's | Sep 2013 |
| 8 | Eight-character Calligraphy Couplet in Running Script, 1823 | A pair of hanging scrolls, ink on paper | $45,371 | Christie's | Jul 2010 |
| 9 | 李鸿章 行书七言联 立轴 | Hanging scroll | $43,658 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2019 |
| 10 | CALLIGRAPHY COUPLET IN XINGSHU | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $40,241 | Sotheby's | Apr 2010 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 22 | $14,490 |
| Other | 40 | $1,540 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 22 | $10,344 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $1,129 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $895 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 213 results from 22 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Li Hongzhang is a Chinese artist with 283 auction lots recorded since 1996, median price $4,702. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Li Hongzhang sold in 2026 for $5,810, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Li Hongzhang work worth?

Across 213 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Hongzhang work is $4,702.

The median Li Hongzhang work on paper sells for $9,562 across 84 lots.

The median Li Hongzhang print sells for $1,238 across 1 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Li Hongzhang work on papers typically sell for $3,762–$46,416 (the middle half of 59 sold lots).

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2 | $1,238‡ | $1,238‡ | 50% | 2021-07-15 |
| Works on Paper | 86 | $9,562‡ | $305,915‡ | 97.7% | 2026-06-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $85,892‡ | $305,915‡ | — | 2024-12-15 |

‡ 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) | 12 | $2,492–$6,256‡ | $4,026‡ | $47,133‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 59 | $3,762–$46,416‡ | $12,108‡ | $305,915‡ |

‡ 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 | 2020 | $305,915‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $186,482 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $1,238‡ |

‡ 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 Li Hongzhang worth?

Across 213 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Hongzhang work is $4,702. The median Li Hongzhang work on paper sells for $9,562 across 84 lots. The median Li Hongzhang print sells for $1,238 across 1 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Li Hongzhang work on papers typically sell for $3,762–$46,416 (the middle half of 59 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Li Hongzhang work on paper?

Based on 84 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Li Hongzhang work on paper is $9,562. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Li Hongzhang's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Li Hongzhang work on paper is $305,915. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a large Li Hongzhang work on paper?

Based on 59 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Li Hongzhang work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $12,108, 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 Li Hongzhang work on paper?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Li Hongzhang work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,026, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Li Hongzhang's auction record?

Li Hongzhang's auction record is $305,915, set in 2020. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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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, “Li Hongzhang auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/li-hongzhang (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.