Ma Yifu (1883–1967)
What is Ma Yifu’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 190 auction results for Ma Yifu at 16 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $17,458 including buyer’s premium (middle half $7,708–$33,194, n=21). The auction record is $91,920 for 篆书节录《庄子·外篇·刻意》 (2018, Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 篆书节录《庄子·外篇·刻意》, 1945年作 | 水墨纸本 | $91,920 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2018 |
| 2 | Calligraphy Couplet in Zhuanshu | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $51,612 | Sotheby's | Oct 2015 |
| 3 | Calligraphy in Zhuanshu | Ink on paper, framed | $51,612 | Sotheby's | Oct 2015 |
| 4 | CALLIGRAPHY IN FOUR SCRIPT STYLES | Ink on paper | $45,963 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2026 |
| 5 | Zengguang Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang, 1732 | Woodblock printed books (12 volumes) | $41,784 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2025 |
| 6 | Four Calligraphy Screens | Calligraphy on paper | $40,287 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2026 |
| 7 | Juan Xi Zhai Wen Lu (10 vols) and Bu Bian (2 vols), 1960 | 纸本 | $37,831 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 8 | 草书七言诗 | 水墨纸本 | $37,510 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2013 |
| 9 | Calligraphy in Seal Script, 1883 | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $36,440 | Bonhams | Oct 2026 |
| 10 | Seven-character Calligraphic Couplet in Running Script, 1883 | Hanging scrolls | $35,458 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 17 | $21,849 |
| Other | 31 | $5,531 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 16 | $21,230 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $12,066 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $2,656 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 190 results from 16 houses · How we compute these figures
Ma Yifu is a Chinese artist with 243 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $9,928. 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 Ma Yifu sold in 2026 for $36,440, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Ma Yifu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ma Yifu on OpeningBid →What is a Ma Yifu work worth?
Across 190 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ma Yifu work is $9,928.
The median Ma Yifu work on paper sells for $10,278 across 67 lots.
The median Ma Yifu sculpture sells for $17,797 across 1 lots.
The median Ma Yifu print sells for $41,784 across 1 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Ma Yifu work on papers typically sell for $5,365–$35,704 (the middle half of 28 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Ma Yifu work on papers typically sell for $1,850–$8,311 (the middle half of 22 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 | $41,784 | $41,784 | — | 2025-05-25 |
| Paintings | 1 | $34,803 | $34,803 | — | 2017-12-16 |
| Works on Paper | 70 | $10,278‡ | $173,654‡ | 95.7% | 2026-10-28 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $17,797 | $17,797 | — | 2022-12-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $91,920‡ | $173,654‡ | — | 2024-06-21 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Ma Yifu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $41,784. Paintings (1 lots) median $34,803, record $34,803. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $91,920.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $9,196–$12,245‡ | $11,887‡ | $44,901‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 22 | $1,850–$8,311‡ | $4,723‡ | $33,852 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $5,365–$35,704‡ | $15,840‡ | $173,845 |
‡ 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 | 2013 | $173,845 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $158,572‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $41,784 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $34,803 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $17,797 |
‡ 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 Ma Yifu worth?
Across 190 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ma Yifu work is $9,928. The median Ma Yifu work on paper sells for $10,278 across 67 lots. The median Ma Yifu sculpture sells for $17,797 across 1 lots. The median Ma Yifu print sells for $41,784 across 1 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Ma Yifu work on papers typically sell for $5,365–$35,704 (the middle half of 28 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ma Yifu work on papers typically sell for $1,850–$8,311 (the middle half of 22 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 Ma Yifu work on paper?
Based on 67 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ma Yifu work on paper is $10,278. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Ma Yifu's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ma Yifu work on paper is $173,654. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a large Ma Yifu work on paper?
Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Ma Yifu work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $15,840, 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 Ma Yifu work on paper?
Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ma Yifu work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,723, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Ma Yifu's auction record?
Ma Yifu's auction record is $173,654, set in 2013. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Ma Yifu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ma Yifu on OpeningBid →