> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/tan-zekai · updated 2026-11-03

# Tan Ze-kai (1889–1948)

## What is Tan Ze-kai’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 243 auction results for Tan Ze-kai at 22 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,320 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,627–$3,629, n=14). The auction record is $30,417 for Jingxin (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 | Jingxin | 水墨纸本 | $30,417 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2017 |
| 2 | Seven-Characters Calligraphic Couplet in Running Script | Ink on paper with gold sprinkling | $20,323 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2021 |
| 3 | Calligraphy Couplet in Xingshu, 1930 | Ink on gold-flecked paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $17,730 | Sotheby's | Apr 2014 |
| 4 | Calligraphy, 1889 | Hanging scrolls | $9,559 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 5 | 大同胞 | Calligraphy on mirror core | $7,887 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2018 |
| 6 | 谭泽闿 1946年作 行书 立轴 四屏, 1946 | 行书 立轴 四屏 | $7,887 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2018 |
| 7 | 行书七言联 | 水墨笺本 | $7,222 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Sep 2015 |
| 8 | 行书摘录《梁书》四屏 | Ink on paper | $6,650 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2023 |
| 9 | 行书五言联 | 水墨笺本 | $6,421 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2017 |
| 10 | 谭泽闿 行书七言联 立轴 | 水墨笺本 | $6,323 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2018 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 14 | $4,524 |
| Other | 27 | $2,575 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $4,040 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 243 results from 22 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Tan Ze-kai is a Chinese artist with 309 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $2,976. 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 Ze-kai sold in 2026 for $4,874, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Tan Ze-kai work worth?

Across 243 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tan Ze-kai work is $2,976.

The median Tan Ze-kai work on paper sells for $3,259 across 85 lots.

The median Tan Ze-kai painting sells for $15,622 across 2 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Tan Ze-kai work on papers typically sell for $2,412–$6,397 (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2 | $15,622 | $30,417 | — | 2017-06-05 |
| Works on Paper | 88 | $3,259†‡ | $26,562‡ | 96.6% | 2026-06-16 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | — | — | — | 2016-12-23 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $25,189†‡ | $30,417 | — | 2021-06-06 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $1,161–$2,193‡ | $1,630‡ | $9,196‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 50 | $2,412–$6,397†‡ | $3,557†‡ | $26,562‡ |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 | 2017 | $30,417 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $26,562‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $24,846‡ |
| Paintings | 2010 | $827 |

‡ 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 Ze-kai worth?

Across 243 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tan Ze-kai work is $2,976. The median Tan Ze-kai work on paper sells for $3,259 across 85 lots. The median Tan Ze-kai painting sells for $15,622 across 2 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Tan Ze-kai work on papers typically sell for $2,412–$6,397 (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 Ze-kai work on paper?

Based on 85 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Tan Ze-kai work on paper is $3,259. 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 Ze-kai's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Tan Ze-kai work on paper is $26,562. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a large Tan Ze-kai work on paper?

Based on 50 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Tan Ze-kai work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $3,557, 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 medium Tan Ze-kai work on paper?

Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Tan Ze-kai work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,630, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Tan Ze-kai's auction record?

Tan Ze-kai's auction record is $30,417, set in 2017.

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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, “Tan Ze-kai auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/tan-zekai (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.