Tian Liming (b. 1955)
What is Tian Liming’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 207 auction results for Tian Liming at 16 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,845 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,519–$5,437, n=6). The auction record is $944,000 for From a Distant Mountain (2014, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | From a Distant Mountain, 2013 | Colour and ink on paper | $944,000 | Sotheby's | Jun 2014 |
| 2 | Misty Landscape with Scholar, 1990 | Colour and ink on paper | $224,200 | Sotheby's | Jun 2014 |
| 3 | 空气 镜心 | — | $200,621 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Jun 2014 |
| 4 | Sunshine | Ink and colour on paper | $177,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2014 |
| 5 | 远山, 2013 | — | $152,114 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2013 |
| 6 | Childhood, 2010 | Ink | $144,389 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 7 | Urban Girl, 2014 | Ink | $144,389 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 8 | Girl in the City, 1955 | Ink | $137,073 | Christie's | Dec 2023 |
| 9 | Clear River, 1955 | Ink | $80,593 | Christie's | Jun 2015 |
| 10 | 高士图 | — | $60,394 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Dec 2013 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 14 | $59,625 |
| Other | 14 | $19,695 |
| Paintings | 33 | $10,483 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $23,224 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 40 | $10,307 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 207 results from 16 houses · How we compute these figures
Tian Liming is a Chinese artist with 258 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $20,019. 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 Tian Liming sold in 2023 for $137,073, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Tian Liming record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Tian Liming on OpeningBid →What is a Tian Liming work worth?
Across 207 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tian Liming work is $20,019.
The median Tian Liming painting sells for $18,183 across 110 lots.
The median Tian Liming work on paper sells for $38,657 across 17 lots.
The median Tian Liming photograph sells for $41,963 across 2 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Tian Liming paintings typically sell for $8,130–$41,916 (the middle half of 83 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 | 112 | $18,183†‡ | $249,094‡ | — | 2025-12-17 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $38,657‡ | $944,000 | 89.5% | 2025-12-17 |
| Photography | 2 | $41,963† | $41,963† | — | 2023-10-14 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 19 | $159,145‡ | $944,000 | — | 2023-12-01 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $5,475–$17,827†‡ | $10,429†‡ | $145,902‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 83 | $8,130–$41,916†‡ | $18,183†‡ | $249,094‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $23,180–$91,825‡ | $51,083‡ | $245,351 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $5,331–$92,715‡ | $12,230‡ | $144,389 |
‡ 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 | 2014 | $944,000 |
| Paintings | 2011 | $249,094‡ |
| Paintings | 2013 | $245,351 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $224,200 |
| Photography | 2016 | $41,963† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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 Tian Liming worth?
Across 207 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tian Liming work is $20,019. The median Tian Liming painting sells for $18,183 across 110 lots. The median Tian Liming work on paper sells for $38,657 across 17 lots. The median Tian Liming photograph sells for $41,963 across 2 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Tian Liming paintings typically sell for $8,130–$41,916 (the middle half of 83 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 Tian Liming painting?
Based on 110 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Tian Liming painting is $18,183. 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 Tian Liming's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Tian Liming painting is $249,094. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Tian Liming work on paper?
Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Tian Liming work on paper is $38,657. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Tian Liming's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Tian Liming work on paper is $944,000.
What is the average price of a medium Tian Liming painting?
Based on 83 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Tian Liming painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $18,183, 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 Tian Liming painting?
Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Tian Liming painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $10,429, 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 Tian Liming's auction record?
Tian Liming's auction record is $944,000, set in 2014.
See the full Tian Liming record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Tian Liming on OpeningBid →