Shi Tao
What is Shi Tao’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 200 auction results for Shi Tao at 16 houses since 1997. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,281 including buyer’s premium (middle half $171–$1,625, n=9). The auction record is $3,740,462 for Bamboo and Stone (翻风滴露图) (2020, Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bamboo and Stone (翻风滴露图), 1698 | Ink on paper | $3,740,462 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2020 |
| 2 | Flowers | 水墨纸本 | $213,150 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 3 | Yougu Yinquiao | 扇面 (fan mount) | $142,522 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2013 |
| 4 | 山麓听泉图 | 屏轴 | $126,452 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 5 | Zen Gate Meditations (Chan Guan You Si Tu) | 水墨纸本 | $111,219 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2015 |
| 6 | 秋山柴扉图, 1680年作 | 设色绢本 | $57,422 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Mar 2010 |
| 7 | 溪桥野色 | 设色纸本 | $31,876 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Apr 2011 |
| 8 | Landscape | 设色纸本 | $24,742 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2006 |
| 9 | 江邨独归 | 镜片 | $18,721 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2013 |
| 10 | 林壑幽居 | 水墨纸本 | $14,269 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jan 2014 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 35 | $3,853 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $912 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 12 | $5,359 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $4,593 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $653 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 200 results from 16 houses · How we compute these figures
Shi Tao is a Chinese artist with 286 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $7,175. 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 Shi Tao is recorded as sold in 2025 for $21,354; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Shi Tao record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Shi Tao on OpeningBid →What is a Shi Tao work worth?
Across 200 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shi Tao work is $7,175.
The median Shi Tao work on paper sells for $12,488 across 73 lots.
The median Shi Tao painting sells for $18,238 across 24 lots.
The median Shi Tao print sells for $171 across 7 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Shi Tao work on papers typically sell for $2,461–$238,799 (the middle half of 27 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Shi Tao work on papers typically sell for $3,663–$111,219 (the middle half of 25 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 | 7 | $171‡ | $4,637‡ | — | 2026-09-10 |
| Paintings | 25 | $18,238‡ | $1.7M‡ | 96% | 2025-12-15 |
| Works on Paper | 76 | $12,488‡ | $10.4M‡ | 96.1% | 2025-08-10 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $891‡ | $891‡ | 50% | 2022-07-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 36 | $708,076†‡ | $10.4M‡ | — | 2024-12-14 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Shi Tao's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (7 lots) median $171. Paintings (25 lots) median $18,238, record $1,737,294. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Shi Tao painting sells for around 106× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 36 lots) the median is $708,076.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $1,258–$25,617‡ | $3,143‡ | $198,234‡ |
‡ 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) | 12 | $3,707–$375,877‡ | $57,569‡ | $2.1M‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $3,663–$111,219‡ | $10,706‡ | $1.7M‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 27 | $2,461–$238,799‡ | $9,290‡ | $10.4M‡ |
‡ 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 | 2015 | $10.4M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $3.7M |
| Paintings | 2018 | $1.7M‡ |
| Paintings | 2021 | $743,311‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $4,630 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $1,907 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $891‡ |
‡ 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 Shi Tao worth?
Across 200 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shi Tao work is $7,175. The median Shi Tao work on paper sells for $12,488 across 73 lots. The median Shi Tao painting sells for $18,238 across 24 lots. The median Shi Tao print sells for $171 across 7 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Shi Tao work on papers typically sell for $2,461–$238,799 (the middle half of 27 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Shi Tao work on papers typically sell for $3,663–$111,219 (the middle half of 25 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 Shi Tao work on paper?
Based on 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shi Tao work on paper is $12,488. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Shi Tao's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Shi Tao work on paper is $10,387,968. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Shi Tao painting?
Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shi Tao painting is $18,238. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Shi Tao's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Shi Tao painting is $1,737,294. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a large Shi Tao work on paper?
Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Shi Tao work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $9,290, 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 Shi Tao work on paper?
Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Shi Tao work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $10,706, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Shi Tao's auction record?
Shi Tao's auction record is $10,387,968, set in 2015. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Shi Tao record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Shi Tao on OpeningBid →