Li Jian (1748–1799)
What is Li Jian’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 133 auction results for Li Jian at 18 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $607 including buyer’s premium (middle half $541–$11,751, n=8). The auction record is $65,279 for Landscapes after Ancient Masters (2025, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landscapes after Ancient Masters, 1781 | Ink and colour on silk | $65,279 | Sotheby's | Oct 2025 |
| 2 | BAMBOO AND ROCK AFTER THE YUAN DYNASTY MASTERS, 1790 | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $37,500 | Sotheby's | Sep 2013 |
| 3 | Landscapes, 1748 | Ink | $19,493 | Christie's | Apr 2025 |
| 4 | Poem in Cursive Script, 1747 | Ink | $17,567 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 5 | Shi de chi tie tu | Hanging scroll | $14,252 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2013 |
| 6 | Coloured Landscapes | Ink and colour on paper, album of eight leaves | $12,973 | Sotheby's | Apr 2024 |
| 7 | GREEN MOUNTAIN AND RED COTTON TREE, 1782 | Ink and color on silk, hanging scroll | $12,903 | Sotheby's | Oct 2015 |
| 8 | Manuscript of Poems Draft, 1748 | Manuscript of Poems Draft | $12,901 | Christie's | Mar 2007 |
| 9 | OLD TREE, BAMBOO AND ROCK | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $12,893 | Sotheby's | Oct 2007 |
| 10 | Gentlemen Watching Sunrise, 1748 | Burlap | $12,821 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 23 | $5,136 |
| Other | 18 | $2,157 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $4,459 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $4,064 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 10 | $3,135 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 133 results from 18 houses · How we compute these figures
Li Jian is a Chinese artist with 184 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $3,587. 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 Li Jian sold in 2025 for $65,279, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Li Jian record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Li Jian on OpeningBid →What is a Li Jian work worth?
Across 133 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Jian work is $3,587.
The median Li Jian work on paper sells for $3,605 across 41 lots.
The median Li Jian painting sells for $4,801 across 8 lots.
The median Li Jian sculpture sells for $4,826 across 2 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 | 9 | $4,801‡ | $14,990‡ | 88.9% | 2024-06-23 |
| Works on Paper | 42 | $3,605‡ | $65,279 | 97.6% | 2025-10-10 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $4,826 | $9,171 | — | 2025-07-02 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $22,484‡ | $65,279 | — | 2025-10-10 |
‡ 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 | $3,304–$12,973‡ | $5,156‡ | $22,484‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $1,800–$4,228‡ | $3,256‡ | $12,821 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $1,408–$5,903‡ | $2,813‡ | $65,279 |
‡ 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 | 2025 | $65,279 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $37,500 |
| Paintings | 2013 | $14,990‡ |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $9,171 |
| Paintings | 2013 | $8,321‡ |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $481 |
‡ 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 Li Jian worth?
Across 133 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Jian work is $3,587. The median Li Jian work on paper sells for $3,605 across 41 lots. The median Li Jian painting sells for $4,801 across 8 lots. The median Li Jian sculpture sells for $4,826 across 2 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 Li Jian work on paper?
Based on 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Li Jian work on paper is $3,605. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Li Jian's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Li Jian work on paper is $65,279.
What is the average price of a large Li Jian work on paper?
Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Li Jian work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $2,813, 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 Jian work on paper?
Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Li Jian work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,256, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Li Jian's auction record?
Li Jian's auction record is $65,279, set in 2025.
See the full Li Jian record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Li Jian on OpeningBid →