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

# Qian Songyan (1899–1986)

## What is Qian Songyan’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 36 | $17,849 |
| Paintings | 13 | $4,946 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Qian Songyan auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/qian-songyan (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.