Lin Sanzhi (1898–1989)
What is Lin Sanzhi’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 2,132 auction results for Lin Sanzhi at 23 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,220 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,009–$17,984, n=170). The auction record is $254,063 for 草书《清平乐·会昌》 (2024, China Guardian (中国嘉德)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 草书《清平乐·会昌》 | 镜心 水墨纸本 | $254,063 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Nov 2024 |
| 2 | 早雁, 1982 | Calligraphy on paper, hanging scroll | $253,641 | China Sungari International Auction (中贸圣佳国际拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 3 | 草书《临阁帖》长卷 | — | $217,781 | Beijing Rongbao Auction (北京荣宝拍卖) | Nov 2005 |
| 4 | 草书七言诗, 1977 | 水墨纸本 | $207,492 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Nov 2015 |
| 5 | 浪淘沙·北戴河 | 镜心 水墨纸本 | $184,197 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2025 |
| 6 | 草书论述绝句十三首, 1977 | Calligraphy on mirror-core paper | $172,296 | Beijing Council | Jun 2011 |
| 7 | 草书七言联, 壬戌年 | 镜心 水墨纸本 | $136,305 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2025 |
| 8 | 隶书七言绝句 | 水墨纸本 | $133,264 | Beijing Hanhai Auction (北京翰海拍卖) | Sep 2010 |
| 9 | Gu wei jin yong ce, 1977 | 册页（十一开） 水墨纸本 | $129,592 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Nov 2025 |
| 10 | Lun Shu Shi | Calligraphy (running script) | $116,780 | China Zhonghongxin International Auction | Nov 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 6 | $18,355 |
| Other | 390 | $10,927 |
| Works on paper | 31 | $9,193 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 87 | $18,650 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 218 | $10,317 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $7,927 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 2,132 results from 23 houses · How we compute these figures
Lin Sanzhi is a Chinese artist with 2,681 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $9,505. 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 Lin Sanzhi sold in 2026 for $11,821, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Lin Sanzhi record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Lin Sanzhi on OpeningBid →What is a Lin Sanzhi work worth?
Across 2,132 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lin Sanzhi work is $9,505.
The median Lin Sanzhi work on paper sells for $11,854 across 527 lots.
The median Lin Sanzhi painting sells for $7,070 across 33 lots.
The median Lin Sanzhi print sells for $4,726 across 1 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Lin Sanzhi work on papers typically sell for $4,392–$18,891 (the middle half of 217 sold lots).
Large (over 120 cm) Lin Sanzhi work on papers typically sell for $10,219–$36,462 (the middle half of 87 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 | 1 | $4,726† | $4,726† | — | 2024-12-15 |
| Paintings | 34 | $7,070†‡ | $51,562 | 97.1% | 2026-03-29 |
| Works on Paper | 606 | $11,854†‡ | $450,359‡ | 87% | 2026-09-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 49 | $83,465†‡ | $450,359‡ | — | 2025-12-14 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Lin Sanzhi's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $4,726. Paintings (34 lots) median $7,070, record $51,562. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 49 lots) the median is $83,465.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $1,753–$28,879‡ | $7,093‡ | $51,562 |
‡ 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) | 11 | $6,093–$33,015 | $10,321 | $159,669 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 217 | $4,392–$18,891‡ | $9,678‡ | $78,907‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 87 | $10,219–$36,462‡ | $20,886‡ | $254,063 |
‡ 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 | 2016 | $450,359‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $254,063 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $51,562 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $51,085 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $4,726† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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 Lin Sanzhi worth?
Across 2,132 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lin Sanzhi work is $9,505. The median Lin Sanzhi work on paper sells for $11,854 across 527 lots. The median Lin Sanzhi painting sells for $7,070 across 33 lots. The median Lin Sanzhi print sells for $4,726 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Lin Sanzhi work on papers typically sell for $4,392–$18,891 (the middle half of 217 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Lin Sanzhi work on papers typically sell for $10,219–$36,462 (the middle half of 87 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 Lin Sanzhi work on paper?
Based on 527 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lin Sanzhi work on paper is $11,854. 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 Lin Sanzhi's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lin Sanzhi work on paper is $450,359. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Lin Sanzhi painting?
Based on 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lin Sanzhi painting is $7,070. 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 Lin Sanzhi's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lin Sanzhi painting is $51,562.
What is the average price of a medium Lin Sanzhi work on paper?
Based on 217 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lin Sanzhi work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $9,678, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a large Lin Sanzhi work on paper?
Based on 87 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Lin Sanzhi work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $20,886, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Lin Sanzhi's auction record?
Lin Sanzhi's auction record is $450,359, set in 2016. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Lin Sanzhi record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Lin Sanzhi on OpeningBid →