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

# Li Laoshi (1957–1996)

Li Laoshi is a Chinese artist with 144 auction lots recorded since 2010, median price $27,924. 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 Laoshi is recorded as sold in 2025 for $27,924; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Li Laoshi work worth?

Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Laoshi work is $27,924.

The median Li Laoshi painting sells for $23,180 across 39 lots.

The median Li Laoshi work on paper sells for $7,246 across 10 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Li Laoshi paintings typically sell for $17,731–$28,949 (the middle half of 24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 41 | $23,180‡ | $171,909‡ | 95.1% | 2026-07-20 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $7,246‡ | $35,187‡ | — | 2026-07-20 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $122,821†‡ | $171,909‡ | — | 2017-12-18 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $8,352–$10,989‡ | $8,392‡ | $35,277‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 24 | $17,731–$28,949‡ | $21,524‡ | $66,831 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $91,007–$140,580‡ | $118,403‡ | $171,909‡ |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $6,698–$11,400‡ | $7,246‡ | $14,416‡ |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2012 | $171,909‡ |
| Paintings | 2015 | $156,040‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $35,187‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $14,416‡ |

‡ 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 Laoshi worth?

Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Laoshi work is $27,924. The median Li Laoshi painting sells for $23,180 across 39 lots. The median Li Laoshi work on paper sells for $7,246 across 10 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Li Laoshi paintings typically sell for $17,731–$28,949 (the middle half of 24 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 Laoshi painting?

Based on 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Li Laoshi painting is $23,180. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Li Laoshi's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Li Laoshi painting is $171,909. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Li Laoshi painting?

Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Li Laoshi painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $21,524, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

Li Laoshi's auction record is $171,909, set in 2012. 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 Laoshi auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/li-laoshi (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.