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

# Lin Zexu (1785–1850)

## What is Lin Zexu’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 256 auction results for Lin Zexu at 18 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $999 including buyer’s premium (middle half $633–$3,305, n=35). The auction record is $192,615 for Calligraphy Couplet in Running Script (2022, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calligraphy Couplet in Running Script | Ink on paper, a pair of frames | $192,615 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 2 | Eight-Character Calligraphic Couplet, 1785 | A pair of hanging scrolls, ink on patterned paper | $178,690 | Christie's | Apr 2025 |
| 3 | Calligraphy in Regular Script, 1835 | Hanging scroll | $161,427 | Bonhams | Jun 2021 |
| 4 | Calligraphy in Running Script, 1785 | A set of four hanging scrolls, ink on gold-flecked paper | $112,151 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 5 | 行书 四屏立轴 | 水墨笺本 | $109,252 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2017 |
| 6 | 行书七言 对联 (Seven-character running script couplet for Yan Hengfu) | Calligraphy | $94,946 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 7 | LIN ZEXU (1785-1850) | Ink on gold flicked wax paper | $91,772 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 8 | 行书五言律诗 | 水墨金笺 | $79,931 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 9 | Calligraphy in Running Script, 1785 | Ink | $67,692 | Christie's | Jun 2024 |
| 10 | CALLIGRAPHY IN RUNNING SCRIPT | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $52,500 | Sotheby's | Sep 2013 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 37 | $14,705 |
| Other | 42 | $2,538 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $16,432 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 39 | $16,117 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $971 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 256 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lin Zexu is a Chinese artist with 368 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $5,852. 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 Zexu sold in 2026 for $12,105, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Lin Zexu work worth?

Across 256 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lin Zexu work is $5,852.

The median Lin Zexu work on paper sells for $7,629 across 115 lots.

The median Lin Zexu print sells for $641 across 5 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Lin Zexu work on papers typically sell for $2,399–$32,802 (the middle half of 77 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Lin Zexu work on papers typically sell for $1,139–$7,738 (the middle half of 20 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 | 5 | $641‡ | $1,762‡ | — | 2026-04-15 |
| Works on Paper | 117 | $7,629‡ | $373,100‡ | — | 2026-09-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 13 | $148,641†‡ | $373,100‡ | — | 2025-04-30 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $1,225–$11,688‡ | $4,230‡ | $54,269‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $1,139–$7,738‡ | $4,469‡ | $109,252 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 77 | $2,399–$32,802‡ | $12,900‡ | $373,100‡ |

‡ 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 | 2017 | $373,100‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $290,206‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $1,762‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $641‡ |

‡ 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 Lin Zexu worth?

Across 256 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lin Zexu work is $5,852. The median Lin Zexu work on paper sells for $7,629 across 115 lots. The median Lin Zexu print sells for $641 across 5 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Lin Zexu work on papers typically sell for $2,399–$32,802 (the middle half of 77 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Lin Zexu work on papers typically sell for $1,139–$7,738 (the middle half of 20 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 Zexu work on paper?

Based on 115 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lin Zexu work on paper is $7,629. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Lin Zexu's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lin Zexu work on paper is $373,100. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a large Lin Zexu work on paper?

Based on 77 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Lin Zexu work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $12,900, 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 medium Lin Zexu work on paper?

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lin Zexu work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,469, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Lin Zexu's auction record?

Lin Zexu's auction record is $373,100, set in 2017. 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, “Lin Zexu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lin-zexu (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.