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

# Ye Qianyu (1907–1995)

## What is Ye Qianyu’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 309 auction results for Ye Qianyu at 18 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,697 including buyer’s premium (middle half $698–$4,134, n=22). The auction record is $447,019 for Tibetan Dance (2010, China Guardian (中国嘉德)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tibetan Dance, 1964 | 设色纸本 | $447,019 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Nov 2010 |
| 2 | Indian Scenery Handscroll, 1994年作 | 水墨纸本 | $183,783 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Feb 2015 |
| 3 | Sketches of West Tianmu Mountain, 1991 | Color on paper | $166,239 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2023 |
| 4 | Dancing Girls, 1990 | Ink and color on paper | $117,721 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2021 |
| 5 | Legend of the White Snake (Bai She Zhuan), 1977年作 | 设色纸本 | $99,661 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2011 |
| 6 | Tibet Reba, 1991 | Color on paper (mirror center) | $84,146 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Feb 2023 |
| 7 | Li Tie Mei, 1984年作 | 设色纸本 | $83,539 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2016 |
| 8 | Indian Woman | 设色纸本 | $73,888 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2012 |
| 9 | 武陵藏奇峰, 1993 | 水墨纸本 | $59,082 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Nov 2012 |
| 10 | 献哈达, 1984年作 | 设色纸本 | $57,124 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2005 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 37 | $12,766 |
| Paintings | 27 | $5,799 |
| Works on paper | 15 | $4,203 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $52,932 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 31 | $10,649 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $1,593 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 309 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ye Qianyu is a Chinese artist with 440 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $11,006. 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 Ye Qianyu sold in 2026 for $35,661, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ye Qianyu work worth?

Across 309 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ye Qianyu work is $11,006.

The median Ye Qianyu painting sells for $10,948 across 79 lots.

The median Ye Qianyu work on paper sells for $7,707 across 47 lots.

The median Ye Qianyu print sells for $3,067 across 1 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Ye Qianyu paintings typically sell for $8,199–$48,584 (the middle half of 36 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Ye Qianyu paintings typically sell for $368–$4,836 (the middle half of 27 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 | 2 | $3,067‡ | $3,067‡ | 50% | 2007-12-02 |
| Paintings | 83 | $10,948‡ | $322,131‡ | 95.2% | 2026-09-17 |
| Works on Paper | 47 | $7,707‡ | $314,972‡ | — | 2026-04-29 |
| Photography | 2 | $10,100‡ | $10,100‡ | 50% | 2018-11-20 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 17 | $183,783‡ | $447,019 | — | 2023-07-04 |

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

Ye Qianyu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $3,067 with 50% sell-through. Paintings (83 lots) median $10,948, record $322,131. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Ye Qianyu painting sells for around 3.6× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 17 lots) the median is $183,783.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 27 | $368–$4,836‡ | $1,281‡ | $25,295‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 36 | $8,199–$48,584‡ | $21,615‡ | $166,239 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $13,967–$80,069‡ | $40,774‡ | $322,131‡ |

‡ 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) | 14 | $942–$6,316‡ | $1,608‡ | $24,797‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 17 | $4,876–$15,296‡ | $7,679‡ | $117,721 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $51,414–$171,008‡ | $84,357‡ | $314,972‡ |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2019 | $322,131‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $314,972‡ |
| Paintings | 2012 | $313,772‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $203,805‡ |
| Photography | 2018 | $10,100‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $3,067‡ |

‡ 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 Ye Qianyu worth?

Across 309 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ye Qianyu work is $11,006. The median Ye Qianyu painting sells for $10,948 across 79 lots. The median Ye Qianyu work on paper sells for $7,707 across 47 lots. The median Ye Qianyu print sells for $3,067 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ye Qianyu paintings typically sell for $8,199–$48,584 (the middle half of 36 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Ye Qianyu paintings typically sell for $368–$4,836 (the middle half of 27 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 Ye Qianyu painting?

Based on 79 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ye Qianyu painting is $10,948. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ye Qianyu's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ye Qianyu painting is $322,131. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Ye Qianyu work on paper?

Based on 47 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ye Qianyu work on paper is $7,707. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ye Qianyu's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ye Qianyu work on paper is $314,972. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Ye Qianyu painting?

Based on 36 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ye Qianyu painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $21,615, 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 small Ye Qianyu painting?

Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ye Qianyu painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,281, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ye Qianyu's auction record?

Ye Qianyu's auction record is $447,019, set in 2010.

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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, “Ye Qianyu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/qianyu-ye (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.