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

# Shi Tao

## What is Shi Tao’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 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.

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

| # | 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 | Piao Er Cai Tu | 设色纸本 | $467,818 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2016 |
| 3 | Flowers | 水墨纸本 | $213,150 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 4 | Yougu Yinquiao | 扇面 (fan mount) | $142,522 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2013 |
| 5 | Mei Zhu Shuang Qing | 水墨纸本 | $135,801 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2016 |
| 6 | 山麓听泉图 | 屏轴 | $126,452 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 7 | 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 |
| 8 | 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 |
| 9 | 溪桥野色 | 设色纸本 | $31,876 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Apr 2011 |
| 10 | Landscape | 设色纸本 | $24,742 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2006 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 40 | $4,795 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $912 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $8,624 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 13 | $5,246 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $1,280 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 200 results from 16 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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 | $4,630 | — | 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Shi Tao auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/tao-shi (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.