Xiao Xian (1902–1997)
What is Xiao Xian’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 171 auction results for Xiao Xian at 14 houses since 2007. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,192 including buyer’s premium (middle half $727–$3,479, n=6). The auction record is $100,000 for LETTERS (2013, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LETTERS | Ink on paper, album leaves | $100,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2013 |
| 2 | 隶书七言联 | 纸本 | $7,928 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2013 |
| 3 | Changchun | 水墨纸本 | $7,140 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2011 |
| 4 | 隶书三十七言联, 1981 | 纸本 | $6,605 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Oct 2023 |
| 5 | Calligraphy in clerical script, 1902 | Ink on paper | $5,700 | Bonhams | Jul 2020 |
| 6 | Jingxin, 1978年作 | 水墨纸本 | $5,161 | Beijing Rongbao Auction (北京荣宝拍卖) | Mar 2015 |
| 7 | 萧娴 隶书五言联 立轴 | Calligraphy (clerical script) | $4,212 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2014 |
| 8 | 行书五言联 | 水墨纸本 | $3,659 | China Zhonghongxin International Auction | Apr 2026 |
| 9 | 隶书录伟人词 | 水墨纸本 | $3,659 | China Zhonghongxin International Auction | Apr 2026 |
| 10 | 萧娴 书法 立轴 | Calligraphy hanging scroll | $3,657 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | May 2015 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 18 | $3,181 |
| Works on paper | 7 | $2,419 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $2,857 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $2,419 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 171 results from 14 houses · How we compute these figures
Xiao Xian is a Chinese artist with 262 auction lots recorded since 2007, median price $5,202. 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 Xiao Xian sold in 2023 for $9,056, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Xiao Xian record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Xiao Xian on OpeningBid →What is a Xiao Xian work worth?
Across 171 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Xiao Xian work is $5,202.
The median Xiao Xian work on paper sells for $1,818 across 61 lots.
The median Xiao Xian painting sells for $1,133 across 1 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Xiao Xian work on papers typically sell for $1,216–$5,285 (the middle half of 32 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Xiao Xian work on papers typically sell for $563–$2,688 (the middle half of 22 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 | 1 | $1,133 | $1,133 | — | 2013-12-03 |
| Works on Paper | 61 | $1,818‡ | $100,000 | — | 2026-04-23 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $66,489‡ | $100,000 | — | 2015-12-23 |
‡ 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) | 22 | $563–$2,688‡ | $1,080‡ | $7,598‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 32 | $1,216–$5,285‡ | $3,091‡ | $15,100‡ |
‡ 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 | 2013 | $100,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $15,100‡ |
| Paintings | 2013 | $1,133 |
‡ 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 Xiao Xian worth?
Across 171 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Xiao Xian work is $5,202. The median Xiao Xian work on paper sells for $1,818 across 61 lots. The median Xiao Xian painting sells for $1,133 across 1 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Xiao Xian work on papers typically sell for $1,216–$5,285 (the middle half of 32 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Xiao Xian work on papers typically sell for $563–$2,688 (the middle half of 22 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 Xiao Xian work on paper?
Based on 61 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Xiao Xian work on paper is $1,818. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Xiao Xian's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Xiao Xian work on paper is $100,000.
What is the average price of a large Xiao Xian work on paper?
Based on 32 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Xiao Xian work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $3,091, 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 Xiao Xian work on paper?
Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Xiao Xian work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,080, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Xiao Xian's auction record?
Xiao Xian's auction record is $100,000, set in 2013.
See the full Xiao Xian record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Xiao Xian on OpeningBid →