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

# Yan Fu (1854–1921)

## What is Yan Fu’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 94 auction results for Yan Fu at 10 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $880 including buyer’s premium (middle half $675–$76,150, n=10). The auction record is $299,392 for Yan Fu important manuscripts (2024, Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yan Fu important manuscripts, 1917年作 | 纸本 手卷 | $299,392 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 2 | 行书 （四幅） 屏轴, 1908 | 行书 （四幅） 屏轴 | $237,365 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 3 | 行书八言 对联 | Couplet | $110,646 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 4 | Seven-character running script couplet for Xu Tiye | Running script calligraphy | $101,162 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 5 | Calligraphy, 1854 | Burlap | $67,638 | Christie's | May 2021 |
| 6 | Calligraphy Couplet in Xingshu | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $48,357 | Sotheby's | Oct 2014 |
| 7 | Letter from Yan Fu to He Renlan, 1912年写本 | 1通1页 | $37,812 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Jun 2022 |
| 8 | CALLIGRPAHY COUPLET IN XINGSHU | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $35,321 | Sotheby's | Oct 2011 |
| 9 | Postcard from Yan Fu to Yan Xu, 近代写本 | 1张 | $34,375 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Jun 2022 |
| 10 | Letter to Lian Weng | Letter | $30,100 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2014 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 23 | $5,786 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $12,891 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 94 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Yan Fu is a Chinese artist with 132 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $17,932. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Yan Fu sold in 2024 for $299,392, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Yan Fu work worth?

Across 94 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yan Fu work is $17,932.

The median Yan Fu work on paper sells for $23,193 across 29 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 1 | — | — | — | 2014-07-27 |
| Works on Paper | 32 | $23,193‡ | $131,133‡ | 90.6% | 2026-04-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $119,350‡ | $299,392 | — | 2024-12-29 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $22,468–$28,991‡ | $23,193‡ | $32,495‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $3,188–$65,021‡ | $13,222‡ | $131,133‡ |

‡ 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 | 2016 | $131,133‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $102,386‡ |

‡ 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 Yan Fu worth?

Across 94 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yan Fu work is $17,932. The median Yan Fu work on paper sells for $23,193 across 29 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Yan Fu work on paper?

Based on 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yan Fu work on paper is $23,193. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Yan Fu's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Yan Fu work on paper is $131,133. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a large Yan Fu work on paper?

Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Yan Fu work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $13,222, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Yan Fu's auction record?

Yan Fu's auction record is $299,392, set in 2024.

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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, “Yan Fu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yan-fu (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.