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

# Qian Song-yan (1899–1985)

## What is Qian Song-yan’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 733 auction results for Qian Song-yan at 22 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,227 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,625–$12,860, n=17). The auction record is $573,468 for Taihu Shengjing (2017, Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taihu Shengjing, 1973年作 | 设色纸本 | $573,468 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2017 |
| 2 | Jianzhen Memorial Hall, 1979年作 | 设色纸本 | $523,184 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2014 |
| 3 | Yunshuidong Jingxin | 设色纸本 | $391,727 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Apr 2013 |
| 4 | Yansai Lake, 1981年作 | 设色纸本 | $333,658 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2015 |
| 5 | Ode for Yanan | Ink and color on paper | $319,825 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2021 |
| 6 | Pine Tree at Mount Tai | Ink and color on paper | $313,846 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2020 |
| 7 | Aiwan Pavilion in Autumn Colors | 设色纸本 | $312,821 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2005 |
| 8 | Taihu Fengguang, 1978年作 | 设色纸本 | $186,851 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2014 |
| 9 | 观瀑图 | 设色纸本 | $185,555 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Nov 2010 |
| 10 | 溪山如画厂如林, 1964年作 | 设色纸本 | $165,089 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2017 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 79 | $29,297 |
| Paintings | 38 | $28,439 |
| Works on paper | 15 | $26,312 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $55,704 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 81 | $35,362 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $16,407 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 733 results from 22 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Qian Song-yan is a Chinese artist with 948 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $31,231. 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 Song-yan is recorded as sold in 2025 for $62,419; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Qian Song-yan work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Qian Song-yan on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/songyan-qian?ref=kg:songyan-qian) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Qian Song-yan work worth?

Across 731 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Qian Song-yan work is $31,231.

The median Qian Song-yan painting sells for $34,890 across 200 lots.

The median Qian Song-yan work on paper sells for $22,190 across 57 lots.

The median Qian Song-yan print sells for $353 across 1 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Qian Song-yan paintings typically sell for $23,004–$112,146 (the middle half of 88 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Qian Song-yan paintings typically sell for $10,498–$33,387 (the middle half of 42 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 | 1 | $353‡ | $353‡ | — | 2016-06-14 |
| Paintings | 220 | $34,890†‡ | $667,408‡ | 90.9% | 2026-07-20 |
| Works on Paper | 59 | $22,190‡ | $319,825 | 96.6% | 2026-04-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 82 | $183,614‡ | $802,463‡ | — | 2025-06-08 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Qian Song-yan's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $353. Paintings (220 lots) median $34,890, record $667,408. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Qian Song-yan painting sells for around 99× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 82 lots) the median is $183,614.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 42 | $10,498–$33,387‡ | $18,898‡ | $241,009‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 88 | $23,004–$112,146†‡ | $49,784†‡ | $667,408‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $127,125–$403,401‡ | $302,961‡ | $432,469‡ |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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) | 7 | $7,934–$15,245‡ | $12,389‡ | $22,190‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 27 | $7,368–$80,043‡ | $37,418‡ | $319,825 |

‡ 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 | 2014 | $667,408‡ |
| Paintings | 2012 | $516,811‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $319,825 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $313,846 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $353‡ |

‡ 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 Qian Song-yan worth?

Across 731 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Qian Song-yan work is $31,231. The median Qian Song-yan painting sells for $34,890 across 200 lots. The median Qian Song-yan work on paper sells for $22,190 across 57 lots. The median Qian Song-yan print sells for $353 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Qian Song-yan paintings typically sell for $23,004–$112,146 (the middle half of 88 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Qian Song-yan paintings typically sell for $10,498–$33,387 (the middle half of 42 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 Qian Song-yan painting?

Based on 200 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Qian Song-yan painting is $34,890. 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 Qian Song-yan's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Qian Song-yan painting is $667,408. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Qian Song-yan work on paper?

Based on 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Qian Song-yan work on paper is $22,190. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Qian Song-yan's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Qian Song-yan work on paper is $319,825.

### What is the average price of a medium Qian Song-yan painting?

Based on 88 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Qian Song-yan painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $49,784, 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 small Qian Song-yan painting?

Based on 42 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Qian Song-yan painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $18,898, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Qian Song-yan's auction record?

Qian Song-yan's auction record is $802,463, set in 2011. 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, “Qian Song-yan auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/songyan-qian (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.