> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/li-yanshan · updated 2026-11-01

# Li Yanshan (1898–1961)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 69 auction results for Li Yanshan at 10 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,099 including buyer’s premium (middle half $175–$3,960, n=6). The auction record is $257,998 for Bamboo and Rock (2015, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bamboo and Rock | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $257,998 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| 2 | Ink Bamboo, 1960 | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $141,934 | Sotheby's | Oct 2015 |
| 3 | Landscape after Wen Zhengming, 1937 | Ink and colour on silk, hanging scroll | $141,321 | Sotheby's | Apr 2014 |
| 4 | Plum Blossoms, 1951 | Ink on paper, handscroll | $132,257 | Sotheby's | Oct 2015 |
| 5 | Landscape Imitating Huang Gongwang, 1951 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $93,524 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| 6 | Pines, 1954 | Ink on silk, hanging scroll | $88,687 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| 7 | Snow-clad Bamboo on the Shore, 1950 | Ink on paper, framed | $88,687 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| 8 | 溪山行旅, 1951 | 镜心 | $72,630 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2014 |
| 9 | Winter Mountains | Ink on silk, handscroll | $67,741 | Sotheby's | Oct 2015 |
| 10 | Reading in the Studio at Night, 1939 | Ink and colour on paper, handscroll | $61,274 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 39 | $9,582 |
| Other | 9 | $4,622 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 17 | $4,486 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $2,763 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 69 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Li Yanshan is a Chinese artist with 84 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $4,637. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Li Yanshan sold in 2026 for $7,354, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Li Yanshan work worth?

Across 69 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Yanshan work is $4,637.

The median Li Yanshan work on paper sells for $8,110 across 43 lots.

The median Li Yanshan painting sells for $1,542 across 3 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 4 | $1,542 | $11,714 | 75% | 2024-11-19 |
| Works on Paper | 46 | $8,110‡ | $257,998 | 93.5% | 2026-04-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $141,628 | $257,998 | — | 2015-10-06 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 16 | $1,999–$6,914‡ | $4,510‡ | $12,842 |

‡ 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 | 2015 | $257,998 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $141,934 |
| Paintings | 2014 | $11,714 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $1,542 |

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 Yanshan worth?

Across 69 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Yanshan work is $4,637. The median Li Yanshan work on paper sells for $8,110 across 43 lots. The median Li Yanshan painting sells for $1,542 across 3 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Li Yanshan work on paper?

Based on 43 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Li Yanshan work on paper is $8,110. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Li Yanshan's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Li Yanshan work on paper is $257,998.

### What is the average price of a medium Li Yanshan work on paper?

Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Li Yanshan work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,510, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

Li Yanshan's auction record is $257,998, set in 2015.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Li Yanshan auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/li-yanshan (updated 2026-11-01).

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.