> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ruan-yuan-2 · updated 2026-11-03

# Ruan Yuan (1764–1849)

## What is Ruan Yuan’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 179 auction results for Ruan Yuan at 18 houses since 1997. Over the last 24 months the median price was $17,414 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,532–$64,906, n=21). The auction record is $545,487 for Qing Dynasty A 'Gui'-style Duan Inkstone inscribed by Ruan Yuan (2025, Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qing Dynasty A 'Gui'-style Duan Inkstone inscribed by Ruan Yuan, Qing dynasty | Duan inkstone | $545,487 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2025 |
| 2 | Cloud pattern Duan stone inkstone inscribed by 'Yi Xing Lao Ren' (Ruan Yuan), 清中期 | Inkstone | $140,399 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2014 |
| 3 | Four Hanging Screens of Four Seasons Landscapes, Qing dynasty | Cloud stone (yunshi/marble) with inscriptions | $99,471 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2025 |
| 4 | 磁青描金佛像明王经文册 | 磁青描金 (blue-green and gold painting) | $90,562 | China Sungari International Auction (中贸圣佳国际拍卖) | Sep 2025 |
| 5 | Duan inkstone inscribed with Ruan Yuan's commentary on the Ten Chapters of Zengzi, Qing dynasty | Duan inkstone with red wood lid | $88,241 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2025 |
| 6 | 雪岭同云, Qing dynasty | Marble screen | $64,906 | China Sungari International Auction (中贸圣佳国际拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 7 | TWO FRAMED 'DREAMSTONE' WALL PLAQUES | Dreamstone wall plaques with hardwood frames | $56,700 | Christie's | Mar 2023 |
| 8 | 清·阮元铭双面云石插屏, Qing dynasty | Marble table screen inscribed by Ruan Yuan | $44,923 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2025 |
| 9 | 清·小听帆楼藏阮元铭云石挂屏, Qing dynasty | Marble-inlaid hanging screen | $36,104 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Dec 2025 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 朝纲一品 英雄独立云石对屏, Qing dynasty | Engraved by Cao Qiufang for Ruan Yuan | $123,480 | China Sungari International Auction (中贸圣佳国际拍卖) | Dec 2024 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 6 | $40,513 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $17,433 |
| Other | 36 | $10,829 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $16,044 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $9,635 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 179 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ruan Yuan is a Chinese artist with 243 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $6,419. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Ruan Yuan sold in 2025 for $36,104, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ruan Yuan work worth?

Across 179 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ruan Yuan work is $6,419.

The median Ruan Yuan work on paper sells for $5,548 across 23 lots.

The median Ruan Yuan print sells for $1,333 across 5 lots.

The median Ruan Yuan sculpture sells for $7,386 across 3 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 5 | $1,333‡ | $9,791‡ | — | 2025-11-23 |
| Paintings | 2 | $90,562 | $90,562 | — | 2025-09-18 |
| Works on Paper | 23 | $5,548‡ | $122,789‡ | — | 2024-09-18 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $7,386 | $7,386 | — | 2025-12-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $123,480‡ | $545,487 | — | 2025-07-27 |

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

Ruan Yuan's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $1,333. Paintings (2 lots) median $90,562, record $90,562. A typical Ruan Yuan painting sells for around 68× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $123,480.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $5,838–$24,900‡ | $10,345‡ | $29,823 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $630–$1,449‡ | $837‡ | $5,676 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $14,711–$37,946‡ | $31,200‡ | $122,789‡ |

‡ 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 | 2021 | $122,789‡ |
| Paintings | 2025 | $90,562 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $37,946‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $9,791‡ |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $7,386 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $1,619 |

‡ 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 Ruan Yuan worth?

Across 179 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ruan Yuan work is $6,419. The median Ruan Yuan work on paper sells for $5,548 across 23 lots. The median Ruan Yuan print sells for $1,333 across 5 lots. The median Ruan Yuan sculpture sells for $7,386 across 3 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Ruan Yuan work on paper?

Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruan Yuan work on paper is $5,548. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ruan Yuan's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruan Yuan work on paper is $122,789. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is Ruan Yuan's auction record?

Ruan Yuan's auction record is $545,487, set in 2025.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ruan Yuan auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ruan-yuan-2 (updated 2026-11-03).

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.