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

# Xiao Xian (1902–1997)

## What is Xiao Xian’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 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.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LETTERS | Ink on paper, album leaves | $100,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2013 |
| 2 | Four-Character Calligraphy Couplet in Running Script, 1993 | Ink on paper | $9,056 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2023 |
| 3 | 隶书七言联 | 纸本 | $7,928 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2013 |
| 4 | Changchun | 水墨纸本 | $7,140 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2011 |
| 5 | 隶书五言诗 镜心 | 水墨纸本 | $6,986 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Apr 2014 |
| 6 | 隶书三十七言联, 1981 | 纸本 | $6,605 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Oct 2023 |
| 7 | Calligraphy in clerical script, 1902 | Ink on paper | $5,700 | Bonhams | Jul 2020 |
| 8 | Jingxin, 1978年作 | 水墨纸本 | $5,161 | Beijing Rongbao Auction (北京荣宝拍卖) | Mar 2015 |
| 9 | 萧娴 行书五言联 立轴 | 水墨纸本 | $4,486 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2015 |
| 10 | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 20 | $3,559 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $2,679 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 16 | $3,140 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $2,599 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 171 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Xiao Xian is a Chinese artist with 259 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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Xiao Xian auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/xiao-xian (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.