> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/li-kuchan · updated 2026-11-03

# Li Kuchan (1899–1983)

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

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 738 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.

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

| # | 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 | 李苦禅 花鸟 册页 （十三开） | Album leaf | $412,302 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | May 2013 |
| 3 | Two Hawks on a Mountain, 1981 | Ink and colour on paper | $379,669 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 4 | 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 |
| 5 | Song Ying Tu | Mirror core (jingxin) | $197,338 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Nov 2012 |
| 6 | EAGLES | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $195,230 | Sotheby's | Oct 2011 |
| 7 | Egret by Lotus, 1936 | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $194,337 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 8 | Song Ying Tu, 1965 | Hanging scroll | $150,985 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Dec 2013 |
| 9 | 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 |
| 10 | 鹭鸶, 1978 | 设色纸本 | $127,306 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2011 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 127 | $10,384 |
| Other | 95 | $8,117 |
| Paintings | 90 | $7,484 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 49 | $13,329 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 165 | $8,062 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 34 | $4,938 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 738 results from 29 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Li Kuchan is a Chinese artist with 950 auction lots recorded since 1997, median price $11,003. 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 2026-11-03).

- [Li Kuchan on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/li-kuchan?ref=kg:li-kuchan) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Li Kuchan work worth?

Across 734 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Kuchan work is $11,003.

The median Li Kuchan work on paper sells for $11,371 across 221 lots.

The median Li Kuchan painting sells for $11,444 across 189 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 | 197 | $11,444†‡ | $435,607‡ | 95.9% | 2026-09-15 |
| Works on Paper | 242 | $11,371†‡ | $1.3M | 91.3% | 2026-10-07 |
| Photography | 2 | $8,025 | $8,025 | 50% | 2025-07-05 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 46 | $149,332‡ | $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 (197 lots) median $11,444, record $435,607. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Li Kuchan painting sells for around 33× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 46 lots) the median is $149,332.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 30 | $1,366–$11,187‡ | $5,133‡ | $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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Li Kuchan worth?

Across 734 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Kuchan work is $11,003. The median Li Kuchan work on paper sells for $11,371 across 221 lots. The median Li Kuchan painting sells for $11,444 across 189 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 $11,371. 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 189 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Li Kuchan painting is $11,444. 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Li Kuchan auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/li-kuchan (updated 2026-11-03).

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.