> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/qianlong-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Qianlong (1711–1799)

## What is Qianlong’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 297 auction results for Qianlong at 31 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,947 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,182–$24,625, n=24). The auction record is $8,272,175 for An extraordinary group of seven jade imperial archer's rings with its imperial inscribed cinnabar lacquer box and cover, Marks and period of Qianlong; the box and cover recorded to have been made in or before 1752 |    《》 (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | An extraordinary group of seven jade imperial archer's rings with its imperial inscribed cinnabar lacquer box and cover, Marks and period of Qianlong; the box and cover recorded to have been made in or before 1752 |    《》 | Lacquer | $8,272,175 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| 2 | 松竹梅兰图 (Pine, Bamboo, Plum, and Orchid), 1757 | Ink on paper | $1,884,660 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Feb 2023 |
| 3 | An imperial catalogue of the twenty-five cardinal seals of the Qing Empire | Book | $1,091,940 | Sotheby's | Apr 2022 |
| 4 | Shuangta Fengtu (Double Pagoda Peak) | 设色纸本 | $1,059,463 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2007 |
| 5 | 回鸾至德州行宫作诗 | 水墨纸本 | $579,845 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2011 |
| 6 | 乾隆帝 行书七言 对联 | Couplet | $426,776 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 7 | Eighteen-armed Guanyin and Cloisonné Enamel Rosewood Buddhist Shrine, 清乾隆 | Buddhist shrine and statue | $426,431 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2010 |
| 8 | Untitled, 1754 | Album leaves (four leaves) | $404,938 | Guangzhou Huayi International Auction (Holly's) | Dec 2020 |
| 9 | 行书“妙谛真空” 行书十二言联 镜心 | Calligraphy couplet | $276,321 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Dec 2025 |
| 10 | Hexagonal gilt-decorated teapot with pavilion pattern and imperial poem inscription | Gilt and silver decorated purple clay (Zisha) | $264,693 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 62 | $24,287 |
| Works on paper | 13 | $927 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $49,146 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 18 | $10,040 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $9,680 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 297 results from 31 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Qianlong is a Chinese artist with 409 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $22,233. 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 Qianlong sold in 2025 for $24,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Qianlong work worth?

Across 296 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Qianlong work is $22,233.

The median Qianlong work on paper sells for $18,314 across 132 lots.

The median Qianlong painting sells for $3,259 across 11 lots.

The median Qianlong print sells for $4,022 across 4 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Qianlong work on papers typically sell for $2,313–$162,635 (the middle half of 66 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Qianlong work on papers typically sell for $2,130–$718,510 (the middle half of 39 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 | 4 | $4,022‡ | $30,247‡ | — | 2021-07-15 |
| Paintings | 14 | $3,259‡ | $1.1M | 78.6% | 2026-03-13 |
| Works on Paper | 132 | $18,314†‡ | $18.7M‡ | — | 2026-09-11 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $426,431 | $426,431 | — | 2010-06-04 |
| Photography | 1 | — | — | — | 2011-07-03 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 76 | $339,229‡ | $32.5M‡ | — | 2025-12-01 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Qianlong's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (4 lots) median $4,022. Paintings (14 lots) median $3,259, record $1,059,463. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 76 lots) the median is $339,229.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $2,755–$131,687‡ | $3,762‡ | $1.1M |

‡ 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) | 19 | $3,306–$834,250‡ | $57,124‡ | $2.8M‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 39 | $2,130–$718,510†‡ | $12,402†‡ | $18.7M‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 66 | $2,313–$162,635†‡ | $21,758†‡ | $1.2M‡ |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 | 2014 | $18.7M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $13.2M‡ |
| Paintings | 2007 | $1.1M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2010 | $426,431 |
| Paintings | 2014 | $131,687‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $30,247‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $4,384 |

‡ 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 Qianlong worth?

Across 296 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Qianlong work is $22,233. The median Qianlong work on paper sells for $18,314 across 132 lots. The median Qianlong painting sells for $3,259 across 11 lots. The median Qianlong print sells for $4,022 across 4 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Qianlong work on papers typically sell for $2,313–$162,635 (the middle half of 66 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Qianlong work on papers typically sell for $2,130–$718,510 (the middle half of 39 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 Qianlong work on paper?

Based on 132 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Qianlong work on paper is $18,314. 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 Qianlong's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Qianlong work on paper is $18,713,045. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Qianlong painting?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Qianlong painting is $3,259. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Qianlong's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Qianlong painting is $1,059,463.

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

Based on 66 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Qianlong work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $21,758, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 medium Qianlong work on paper?

Based on 39 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Qianlong work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,402, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Qianlong's auction record?

Qianlong's auction record is $32,519,872, set in 2021. 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, “Qianlong auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/qianlong-2 (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.