Qian Songyan (1899–1986)
What is Qian Songyan’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 60 auction results for Qian Songyan at 9 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,373 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,742–$27,677, n=8). The auction record is $193,498 for The City of Banyan (2015, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The City of Banyan, 1963 | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $193,498 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| 2 | QUEST OF THE LONG MARCH, 1966 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $188,385 | Sotheby's | Oct 2009 |
| 3 | CAVERN IN THE MOUNTAINS | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $187,524 | Sotheby's | Oct 2011 |
| 4 | Pine Trees by the Waterfall | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $170,273 | Sotheby's | Apr 2024 |
| 5 | Yellow Mountains, 1898 | Ink | $125,000 | Christie's | Mar 2017 |
| 6 | TIANANMEN SQUARE | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $110,950 | Sotheby's | Apr 2009 |
| 7 | Rain Flower Terrace, 1898 | Ink | $80,201 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 8 | The Seven Star, 1973 | Ink and colour on paper | $79,751 | Bonhams | Oct 2019 |
| 9 | Seven Star Crags in Zhaoqing, 1898 | Ink | $64,505 | Christie's | Dec 2023 |
| 10 | Autumn Scenery of Sichuan | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $64,499 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 36 | $17,849 |
| Paintings | 13 | $4,946 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $27,097 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 20 | $16,958 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $2,456 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 60 results from 9 houses · How we compute these figures
Qian Songyan is a Chinese artist with 72 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $13,122. 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 Qian Songyan sold in 2025 for $29,418, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Qian Songyan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Qian Songyan on OpeningBid →What is a Qian Songyan work worth?
Across 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Qian Songyan work is $13,122.
The median Qian Songyan work on paper sells for $17,023 across 44 lots.
The median Qian Songyan painting sells for $4,946 across 11 lots.
The median Qian Songyan print sells for $30,576 across 1 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 | $30,576 | $30,576 | — | 2016-05-31 |
| Paintings | 11 | $4,946‡ | $170,273 | — | 2025-10-08 |
| Works on Paper | 54 | $17,023† | $193,498 | 81.5% | 2026-10-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $178,898 | $193,498 | — | 2024-04-08 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Qian Songyan's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $30,576. Paintings (11 lots) median $4,946, record $170,273. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $178,898.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $1,708–$8,869 | $4,088 | $42,902 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 18 | $9,133–$44,557 | $24,133 | $125,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $14,290–$28,257 | $18,675 | $38,475 |
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 | $193,498 |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $188,385 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $170,273 |
| Paintings | 2009 | $110,950 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $30,576 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Qian Songyan worth?
Across 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Qian Songyan work is $13,122. The median Qian Songyan work on paper sells for $17,023 across 44 lots. The median Qian Songyan painting sells for $4,946 across 11 lots. The median Qian Songyan print sells for $30,576 across 1 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 Qian Songyan work on paper?
Based on 44 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Qian Songyan work on paper is $17,023. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Qian Songyan's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Qian Songyan work on paper is $193,498.
What is the average price of a Qian Songyan painting?
Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Qian Songyan painting is $4,946. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Qian Songyan's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Qian Songyan painting is $170,273.
What is the average price of a medium Qian Songyan work on paper?
Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Qian Songyan work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $24,133, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Qian Songyan's auction record?
Qian Songyan's auction record is $193,498, set in 2015.
See the full Qian Songyan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Qian Songyan on OpeningBid →