Wang Wen-zhi (1730–1802)
What is Wang Wen-zhi’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 319 auction results for Wang Wen-zhi at 23 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,709 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,121–$12,351, n=26). The auction record is $154,056 for Calligraphy Couplet in Xingshu (2024, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calligraphy Couplet in Xingshu, 1779 | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $154,056 | Sotheby's | Apr 2024 |
| 2 | Calligraphy | Ink on paper, album of eighteen leaves | $72,562 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| 3 | Five Poems in Running Script, 1730 | A set of six hanging scrolls, ink on gold- flecked paper | $72,468 | Christie's | May 2021 |
| 4 | 雅人清供, Qing dynasty | Ceramic | $59,045 | China Sungari International Auction (中贸圣佳国际拍卖) | Jun 2017 |
| 5 | Calligraphy in Running Script, 1730 | Hanging scrolls | $56,076 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 6 | Pan Lianchao's Poem in Running Script | Hanging scroll | $52,715 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2014 |
| 7 | Calligraphy in Running Script | 王文治 行書《燕復巢為松濤汪丈作》, 1791 | Ink on paper | $48,647 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 8 | CALLIGRAPHY IN FOUR PANELS | Ink on paper | $45,963 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2026 |
| 9 | Kuai Xue Tang Lin Shu Ce | 册页 (album leaves) | $45,795 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2016 |
| 10 | Birthday Poems in Kaishu, 1794 | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $42,163 | Sotheby's | Apr 2024 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 49 | $11,250 |
| Other | 38 | $4,877 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $11,820 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $7,648 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 15 | $6,141 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 319 results from 23 houses · How we compute these figures
Wang Wen-zhi is a Chinese artist with 440 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $6,624. 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 Wang Wen-zhi sold in 2026 for $8,103, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Wang Wen-zhi record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Wang Wen-zhi on OpeningBid →What is a Wang Wen-zhi work worth?
Across 319 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wang Wen-zhi work is $6,624.
The median Wang Wen-zhi work on paper sells for $7,320 across 133 lots.
The median Wang Wen-zhi sculpture sells for $390 across 2 lots.
The median Wang Wen-zhi painting sells for $16,659 across 2 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Wang Wen-zhi work on papers typically sell for $3,337–$18,071 (the middle half of 62 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Wang Wen-zhi work on papers typically sell for $1,821–$9,406 (the middle half of 34 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 | $301‡ | $301‡ | — | 2010-09-19 |
| Paintings | 2 | $16,659‡ | $31,464‡ | — | 2023-05-17 |
| Works on Paper | 144 | $7,320‡ | $154,056 | 92.4% | 2026-10-27 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $390‡ | $390‡ | 66.7% | 2022-05-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $72,515‡ | $154,056 | — | 2024-04-08 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Wang Wen-zhi's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $301. Paintings (2 lots) median $16,659, record $31,464. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Wang Wen-zhi painting sells for around 55× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 10 lots) the median is $72,515.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $2,368–$27,504‡ | $9,676‡ | $112,253‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 34 | $1,821–$9,406‡ | $3,671‡ | $23,707 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 62 | $3,337–$18,071‡ | $7,669‡ | $154,056 |
‡ 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 | 2024 | $154,056 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $112,253‡ |
| Paintings | 2016 | $31,464‡ |
| Paintings | 2023 | $1,855‡ |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $390‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $301‡ |
‡ 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 Wang Wen-zhi worth?
Across 319 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wang Wen-zhi work is $6,624. The median Wang Wen-zhi work on paper sells for $7,320 across 133 lots. The median Wang Wen-zhi sculpture sells for $390 across 2 lots. The median Wang Wen-zhi painting sells for $16,659 across 2 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Wang Wen-zhi work on papers typically sell for $3,337–$18,071 (the middle half of 62 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Wang Wen-zhi work on papers typically sell for $1,821–$9,406 (the middle half of 34 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 Wang Wen-zhi work on paper?
Based on 133 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wang Wen-zhi work on paper is $7,320. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Wang Wen-zhi's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Wang Wen-zhi work on paper is $154,056.
What is the average price of a large Wang Wen-zhi work on paper?
Based on 62 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Wang Wen-zhi work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $7,669, 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 Wang Wen-zhi work on paper?
Based on 34 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wang Wen-zhi work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,671, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Wang Wen-zhi's auction record?
Wang Wen-zhi's auction record is $154,056, set in 2024.
See the full Wang Wen-zhi record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Wang Wen-zhi on OpeningBid →