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

# Tan Yankai (1880–1930)

## What is Tan Yankai’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 200 auction results for Tan Yankai at 17 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,185 including buyer’s premium (middle half $911–$7,735, n=18). The auction record is $66,000 for Letters to Zhang Qun (2026, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Letters to Zhang Qun, 1880 | Ink on paper, album of eighteen leaves | $66,000 | Bonhams | Oct 2026 |
| 2 | Letters from Tan Yankai and Tan Zekai to Zhang Chengzhi, two albums | Letters, albums (册页) | $50,306 | Guangzhou Huayi International Auction (Holly's) | May 2017 |
| 3 | Calligraphy in Running Script, 1880 | Ink on paper, horizontal scroll | $33,128 | Bonhams | Oct 2026 |
| 4 | 谭延闿 居正 张人杰 书法对联 三屏立轴 | 书法对联 三屏立轴 | $30,638 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2016 |
| 5 | Calligraphy in Running Script, 1880 | Ink on dragon-cloud pattern wax paper, scroll | $24,846 | Bonhams | Oct 2026 |
| 6 | Poems in Running Script, 1880 | Ink on paper, album of seven leaves | $24,846 | Bonhams | Oct 2026 |
| 7 | 谭延闿 行书七言联 立轴 | Hanging scroll | $15,643 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2014 |
| 8 | CALLIGRAPHY COUPLET IN XINGSHU | Ink on gold-flecked paper, framed, set of two | $15,314 | Sotheby's | Oct 2013 |
| 9 | 行书八言联 | 水墨纸本 | $14,459 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Aug 2012 |
| 10 | Seven-character Calligraphic Couplet in Regular Script, 1876 | Hanging scrolls | $11,149 | Christie's | May 2019 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 23 | $4,597 |
| Other | 18 | $3,442 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $2,891 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $2,387 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 200 results from 17 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Tan Yankai is a Chinese artist with 239 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $4,816. 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 Tan Yankai sold in 2026 for $24,846, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Tan Yankai work worth?

Across 200 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tan Yankai work is $4,816.

The median Tan Yankai work on paper sells for $5,251 across 84 lots.

The median Tan Yankai print sells for $2,909 across 1 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Tan Yankai work on papers typically sell for $2,734–$8,356 (the middle half of 50 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 | $2,909‡ | $2,909‡ | — | 2023-03-27 |
| Works on Paper | 87 | $5,251†‡ | $66,000 | 96.6% | 2026-10-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $31,883 | $66,000 | — | 2026-10-07 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $2,516–$15,373‡ | $4,056‡ | $66,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $543–$1,598‡ | $1,587‡ | $5,614‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 50 | $2,734–$8,356‡ | $5,133‡ | $33,128 |

‡ 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 | 2026 | $66,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $33,128 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $2,909‡ |

‡ 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 Tan Yankai worth?

Across 200 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tan Yankai work is $4,816. The median Tan Yankai work on paper sells for $5,251 across 84 lots. The median Tan Yankai print sells for $2,909 across 1 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Tan Yankai work on papers typically sell for $2,734–$8,356 (the middle half of 50 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 Tan Yankai work on paper?

Based on 84 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Tan Yankai work on paper is $5,251. 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 Tan Yankai's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Tan Yankai work on paper is $66,000.

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

Based on 50 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Tan Yankai work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $5,133, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Tan Yankai's auction record?

Tan Yankai's auction record is $66,000, set in 2026.

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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, “Tan Yankai auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/tan-yankai (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.