Li Yu (b. 1843)
What is Li Yu’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 127 auction results for Li Yu at 20 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,536 including buyer’s premium (middle half $475–$8,021, n=5). The auction record is $80,766 for 一片冰心在玉壶 (2022, Guangzhou Huayi International Auction (Holly's)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 一片冰心在玉壶, Ming dynasty | Seal carving | $80,766 | Guangzhou Huayi International Auction (Holly's) | Sep 2022 |
| 2 | Loquats | Ink and colour on paper | $40,200 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 3 | 清供图, 1885 | Painting | $16,645 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Jun 2014 |
| 4 | Qi Mo No. 5 Jing Xin | — | $15,019 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2015 |
| 5 | Gao Zhan | Hanging scroll | $10,467 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2016 |
| 6 | 一片冰心在玉壶 | Shoushan stone | $9,688 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Nov 2025 |
| 7 | 清·玉/宝石印一组六件, Qing dynasty | Two jade seals with animal knobs, two tourmaline seals with animal knobs, one square seal, and one jadeite seal with animal knob | $8,021 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2025 |
| 8 | Album of landscapes and flowers, 1843 | Ink and color on paper | $6,120 | Bonhams | Mar 2022 |
| 9 | 松鹰图, 1891年作 | 设色纸本 | $5,896 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2010 |
| 10 | Yu Mei Ren | 水墨纸本 | $4,641 | Beijing Rongbao Auction (北京荣宝拍卖) | Apr 2017 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 19 | $3,203 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 5 | $1,641 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 127 results from 20 houses · How we compute these figures
Li Yu is a Chinese artist with 175 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $1,721. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Li Yu sold in 2025 for $9,688, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Li Yu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Li Yu on OpeningBid →What is a Li Yu work worth?
Across 127 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Yu work is $1,721.
The median Li Yu work on paper sells for $3,828 across 9 lots.
The median Li Yu painting sells for $5,194 across 9 lots.
The median Li Yu sculpture sells for $80,766 across 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 1 | $83,611‡ | $83,611‡ | — | 2023-02-23 |
| Paintings | 9 | $5,194‡ | $29,388‡ | — | 2025-07-03 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $3,828‡ | $40,200 | 90% | 2026-06-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $80,766 | $80,766 | — | 2022-09-23 |
| Photography | 1 | — | — | — | 2015-07-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $80,766‡ | $83,611‡ | — | 2023-02-23 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Li Yu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $83,611. Paintings (9 lots) median $5,194, record $29,388. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $80,766.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $83,611‡ |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $80,766 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $40,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $37,517‡ |
| Paintings | 2014 | $29,388‡ |
| Paintings | 2014 | $16,645 |
‡ 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 Yu worth?
Across 127 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Li Yu work is $1,721. The median Li Yu work on paper sells for $3,828 across 9 lots. The median Li Yu painting sells for $5,194 across 9 lots. The median Li Yu sculpture sells for $80,766 across 1 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Li Yu's auction record?
Li Yu's auction record is $83,611, set in 2023. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Li Yu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Li Yu on OpeningBid →