Shen Zengzhi (1850–1922)
What is Shen Zengzhi’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 316 auction results for Shen Zengzhi at 20 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,359 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,970–$10,026, n=32). The auction record is $550,069 for Calligraphy in Lishu (Eight Consciousnesses Rules Ode) (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calligraphy in Lishu (Eight Consciousnesses Rules Ode) | Ink on paper, set of twelve hanging scroll | $550,069 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| 2 | Poem in Xingshu | Ink on paper, set of four, hanging scroll | $193,498 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| 3 | Calligraphy Couplet in Xingshu | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $113,249 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| 4 | 行书七言联 | 水墨纸本 | $90,406 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Aug 2012 |
| 5 | Calligraphy in Xingshu | Ink on paper, handscroll | $81,098 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 6 | 沈曾植辞皖藩稿 | Manuscript | $80,908 | China Sungari International Auction (中贸圣佳国际拍卖) | Jul 2023 |
| 7 | 沈曾植 行书七言联 立轴 | Hanging scroll | $72,821 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 8 | Zhangcao Qiyan Lian | 水墨纸本 | $71,675 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Feb 2015 |
| 9 | Calligraphic Couplet, 1850 | Hanging scrolls | $66,915 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 10 | Calligraphy, 1850 | Ink | $45,128 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 49 | $7,585 |
| Other | 37 | $6,268 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 21 | $32,230 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 10 | $5,372 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $3,495 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 316 results from 20 houses · How we compute these figures
Shen Zengzhi is a Chinese artist with 382 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $6,397. 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 Shen Zengzhi sold in 2025 for a hammer price of $37,780 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Shen Zengzhi record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Shen Zengzhi on OpeningBid →What is a Shen Zengzhi work worth?
Across 316 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shen Zengzhi work is $6,397.
The median Shen Zengzhi work on paper sells for $11,461 across 94 lots.
The median Shen Zengzhi print sells for $5,358 across 2 lots.
The median Shen Zengzhi painting sells for $692 across 2 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Shen Zengzhi work on papers typically sell for $7,319–$50,554 (the middle half of 35 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Shen Zengzhi work on papers typically sell for $3,919–$18,821 (the middle half of 20 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 | $5,358 | $6,268 | — | 2024-06-13 |
| Paintings | 2 | $692‡ | $692‡ | — | 2016-06-03 |
| Works on Paper | 100 | $11,461‡ | $550,069 | 94% | 2026-10-28 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $147,670‡ | $147,670‡ | — | 2018-06-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $130,460‡ | $550,069 | — | 2023-10-08 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Shen Zengzhi's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $5,358. Paintings (2 lots) median $692, record $692. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 8 lots) the median is $130,460.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $2,439–$6,811 | $4,209 | $9,860 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $3,919–$18,821‡ | $8,161‡ | $185,499‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 35 | $7,319–$50,554‡ | $29,735‡ | $550,069 |
‡ 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 | 2023 | $550,069 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $193,498 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $147,670‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $6,268 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $4,449 |
| Paintings | 2016 | $692‡ |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Shen Zengzhi worth?
Across 316 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shen Zengzhi work is $6,397. The median Shen Zengzhi work on paper sells for $11,461 across 94 lots. The median Shen Zengzhi print sells for $5,358 across 2 lots. The median Shen Zengzhi painting sells for $692 across 2 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Shen Zengzhi work on papers typically sell for $7,319–$50,554 (the middle half of 35 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Shen Zengzhi work on papers typically sell for $3,919–$18,821 (the middle half of 20 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 Shen Zengzhi work on paper?
Based on 94 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shen Zengzhi work on paper is $11,461. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Shen Zengzhi's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Shen Zengzhi work on paper is $550,069.
What is the average price of a large Shen Zengzhi work on paper?
Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Shen Zengzhi work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $29,735, 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 medium Shen Zengzhi work on paper?
Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Shen Zengzhi work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,161, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Shen Zengzhi's auction record?
Shen Zengzhi's auction record is $550,069, set in 2023.
See the full Shen Zengzhi record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Shen Zengzhi on OpeningBid →