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

# Li Jian (1748–1799)

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

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 23 | $5,136 |
| Other | 18 | $2,157 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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 Jian auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/li-jian (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.