Li Kuchan (1899–1983)
What is Li Kuchan’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 742 auction results for Li Kuchan at 29 houses since 1997. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,097 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,225–$7,794, n=91). The auction record is $1,318,474 for Eagles on Rock (2021, Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagles on Rock, 1973 | Ink and color on paper | $1,318,474 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2021 |
| 2 | Two Hawks on a Mountain, 1981 | Ink and colour on paper | $379,669 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 3 | Double Eagles, 1977年作 | 设色纸本 | $199,736 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2019 |
| 4 | Song Ying Tu | Mirror core (jingxin) | $197,338 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Nov 2012 |
| 5 | EAGLES | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $195,230 | Sotheby's | Oct 2011 |
| 6 | Egret by Lotus, 1936 | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $194,337 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 7 | Bird and Plant, 1980 | Ink and color on paper | $138,126 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2021 |
| 8 | 鹭鸶, 1978 | 设色纸本 | $127,306 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2011 |
| 9 | 雄鹰 镜心 | 设色纸本 | $114,471 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Nov 2012 |
| 10 | Luo Fu Mei Zi, 1963年作 | 水墨纸本 | $112,187 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2014 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 124 | $10,409 |
| Other | 85 | $8,025 |
| Paintings | 82 | $6,242 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 45 | $11,058 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 158 | $8,052 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 33 | $4,930 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 742 results from 29 houses · How we compute these figures
Li Kuchan is a Chinese artist with 958 auction lots recorded since 1997, median price $10,836. 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 Kuchan sold in 2026 for $23,774, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Li Kuchan works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Li Kuchan free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Li Kuchan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Li Kuchan on OpeningBid →What is a Li Kuchan work worth?
Across 738 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Kuchan work is $10,836.
The median Li Kuchan work on paper sells for $11,589 across 221 lots.
The median Li Kuchan painting sells for $11,003 across 190 lots.
The median Li Kuchan print sells for $350 across 2 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Li Kuchan work on papers typically sell for $4,206–$22,097 (the middle half of 116 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Li Kuchan paintings typically sell for $4,226–$35,037 (the middle half of 106 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 | $350 | $623 | — | 2025-04-07 |
| Paintings | 198 | $11,003†‡ | $435,607‡ | 96% | 2026-09-15 |
| Works on Paper | 242 | $11,589†‡ | $1.3M | 91.3% | 2026-10-07 |
| Photography | 2 | $8,025 | $8,025 | 50% | 2025-07-05 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 43 | $147,679‡ | $1.3M | — | 2026-04-15 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Li Kuchan's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $350. Paintings (198 lots) median $11,003, record $435,607. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Li Kuchan painting sells for around 31× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 43 lots) the median is $147,679.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 31 | $1,347–$11,135‡ | $4,194‡ | $28,344 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 106 | $4,226–$35,037†‡ | $12,123†‡ | $187,369‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $6,212–$78,510‡ | $41,744‡ | $435,607‡ |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $4,922–$12,109‡ | $6,772‡ | $26,249‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 116 | $4,206–$22,097†‡ | $10,617†‡ | $115,080‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 51 | $4,977–$74,996†‡ | $15,878†‡ | $1.3M |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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 | $1.3M |
| Paintings | 2008 | $435,607‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $379,669 |
| Paintings | 2013 | $207,629‡ |
| Photography | 2025 | $8,025 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $623 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $77 |
‡ 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 Kuchan worth?
Across 738 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Kuchan work is $10,836. The median Li Kuchan work on paper sells for $11,589 across 221 lots. The median Li Kuchan painting sells for $11,003 across 190 lots. The median Li Kuchan print sells for $350 across 2 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Li Kuchan work on papers typically sell for $4,206–$22,097 (the middle half of 116 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Li Kuchan paintings typically sell for $4,226–$35,037 (the middle half of 106 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 Li Kuchan work on paper?
Based on 221 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Li Kuchan work on paper is $11,589. 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 Li Kuchan's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Li Kuchan work on paper is $1,318,474.
What is the average price of a Li Kuchan painting?
Based on 190 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Li Kuchan painting is $11,003. 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 Li Kuchan's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Li Kuchan painting is $435,607. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a medium Li Kuchan work on paper?
Based on 116 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Li Kuchan work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $10,617, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 medium Li Kuchan painting?
Based on 106 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Li Kuchan painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,123, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Li Kuchan's auction record?
Li Kuchan's auction record is $1,318,474, set in 2021.
See the full Li Kuchan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Li Kuchan on OpeningBid →