> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ya-ming · updated 2026-11-02

# Ya Ming (1924–2002)

## What is Ya Ming’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 658 auction results for Ya Ming at 24 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,960 including buyer’s premium (middle half $632–$5,531, n=41). The auction record is $169,660 for 峡江烟云 (2018, 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 | 峡江烟云, 1977年作 | 设色纸本 | $169,660 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2018 |
| 2 | LOTUS AND FISHES, 1987 | Ink on paper | $120,177 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 3 | MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAINS AND RIVER | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $67,303 | Sotheby's | Oct 2011 |
| 4 | 峡江烟云, 1977年作 | 设色纸本 | $56,044 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2016 |
| 5 | Huangshan Songyun Jingxin | — | $52,475 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | May 2013 |
| 6 | Scenery of the New Era, 1924 | Handscroll, ink and colour on paper | $48,434 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 7 | 秋水山高 | 设色纸本 | $41,007 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2010 |
| 8 | GIANT WATERFALL | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $38,703 | Sotheby's | Apr 2009 |
| 9 | Miscellaneous Album Leaves (Six Leaves) | 设色纸本 | $36,141 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2012 |
| 10 | Song Ren Ci Yi Tu | 设色纸本 | $33,278 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jan 2013 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 66 | $6,421 |
| Paintings | 47 | $5,244 |
| Works on paper | 43 | $4,916 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 30 | $12,087 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $5,393 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 76 | $4,859 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 658 results from 24 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ya Ming is a Chinese artist with 934 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $7,168. 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 Ya Ming sold in 2026 for $11,876, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ya Ming work worth?

Across 658 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ya Ming work is $7,168.

The median Ya Ming painting sells for $7,308 across 163 lots.

The median Ya Ming work on paper sells for $5,360 across 98 lots.

The median Ya Ming photograph sells for $1,263 across 5 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Ya Ming paintings typically sell for $2,461–$13,777 (the middle half of 83 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Ya Ming work on papers typically sell for $2,370–$7,743 (the middle half of 57 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 | 182 | $7,308†‡ | $474,855‡ | 89.6% | 2026-07-19 |
| Works on Paper | 108 | $5,360‡ | $220,390‡ | 90.7% | 2026-08-04 |
| Photography | 5 | $1,263‡ | $1,575‡ | — | 2025-03-14 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 22 | $100,581‡ | $474,855‡ | — | 2021-12-03 |

† 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) | 32 | $1,253–$10,410‡ | $5,634‡ | $27,809‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 83 | $2,461–$13,777†‡ | $7,979†‡ | $161,854‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $7,552–$45,065‡ | $20,512‡ | $474,855‡ |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $4,248–$7,000‡ | $4,791‡ | $11,815 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 57 | $2,370–$7,743‡ | $4,325‡ | $58,845‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $10,022–$35,523‡ | $22,008‡ | $220,390‡ |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2017 | $474,855‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $220,390‡ |
| Paintings | 2018 | $169,660 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $139,676 |
| Photography | 2024 | $1,575‡ |
| Photography | 2025 | $951‡ |

‡ 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 Ya Ming worth?

Across 658 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ya Ming work is $7,168. The median Ya Ming painting sells for $7,308 across 163 lots. The median Ya Ming work on paper sells for $5,360 across 98 lots. The median Ya Ming photograph sells for $1,263 across 5 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ya Ming paintings typically sell for $2,461–$13,777 (the middle half of 83 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ya Ming work on papers typically sell for $2,370–$7,743 (the middle half of 57 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 Ya Ming painting?

Based on 163 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ya Ming painting is $7,308. 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 Ya Ming's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ya Ming painting is $474,855. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Ya Ming work on paper?

Based on 98 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ya Ming work on paper is $5,360. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ya Ming's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ya Ming work on paper is $220,390. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Ya Ming painting?

Based on 83 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ya Ming painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $7,979, 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 medium Ya Ming work on paper?

Based on 57 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ya Ming work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,325, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ya Ming's auction record?

Ya Ming's auction record is $474,855, set in 2017. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ya Ming auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ya-ming (updated 2026-11-02).

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.