> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yang-shanshen-4 · updated 2026-11-02

# Yang Shanshen (1913–2004)

## What is Yang Shanshen’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 384 auction results for Yang Shanshen at 16 houses since 1997. Over the last 24 months the median price was $954 including buyer’s premium (middle half $494–$1,747, n=23). The auction record is $611,810 for LOTUS AND FISH Scroll (2005, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LOTUS AND FISH Scroll | Ink and colour on paper | $611,810 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 2 | APE SITTING ON PINE TREE, 1990 | Ink and colour on paper | $240,354 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 3 | Wu Sung and Pan Jinlian, 1989 | Ink and colour on paper | $218,940 | Christie's | Oct 2004 |
| 4 | LANDSCAPE Scroll, 1993 | Ink and colour on paper | $197,046 | Christie's | Oct 2004 |
| 5 | Landcape Scroll | Ink and colour on paper | $167,501 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 6 | LOTUS AND SWALLOW Scroll, 2004 | Ink and colour on paper | $120,177 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 7 | STROLLING ALONG AN OLD PATH, 1985-1987 | Ink on paper | $118,228 | Christie's | Oct 2004 |
| 8 | Cicada in the Moonlight | Ink and colour on paper | $111,667 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 9 | 教子图 行草六言联, 1997 | Ink on paper | $111,160 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2013 |
| 10 | 芙蓉, 1950 | 设色纸本 | $90,469 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Nov 2011 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 31 | $9,599 |
| Other | 72 | $8,777 |
| Paintings | 26 | $2,892 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 15 | $5,136 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 32 | $4,716 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 26 | $3,559 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 384 results from 16 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Yang Shanshen is a Chinese artist with 506 auction lots recorded since 1997, median price $6,498. 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 Yang Shanshen sold in 2025 for $7,349, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Yang Shanshen work worth?

Across 384 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yang Shanshen work is $6,498.

The median Yang Shanshen work on paper sells for $3,852 across 84 lots.

The median Yang Shanshen painting sells for $6,812 across 71 lots.

The median Yang Shanshen photograph sells for $12,256 across 7 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Yang Shanshen work on papers typically sell for $1,243–$5,456 (the middle half of 44 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Yang Shanshen paintings typically sell for $2,895–$40,123 (the middle half of 29 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 | 79 | $6,812†‡ | $182,378‡ | 89.9% | 2026-09-12 |
| Works on Paper | 91 | $3,852‡ | $611,810 | 92.3% | 2026-05-13 |
| Photography | 8 | $12,256 | $17,940 | 87.5% | 2022-12-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 17 | $167,501‡ | $611,810 | — | 2013-10-05 |

† 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) | 12 | $1,640–$6,456‡ | $3,109‡ | $18,096‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 29 | $2,895–$40,123‡ | $17,432‡ | $182,378‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $3,178–$46,411†‡ | $18,564†‡ | $177,337‡ |

† 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) | 8 | $3,016–$45,876‡ | $9,837‡ | $218,940 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 18 | $3,442–$61,383‡ | $4,945‡ | $240,354 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 44 | $1,243–$5,456‡ | $3,351‡ | $611,810 |

‡ 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 | 2005 | $611,810 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $240,354 |
| Paintings | 2011 | $182,378‡ |
| Paintings | 2012 | $177,337‡ |
| Photography | 2013 | $54,732 |
| Photography | 2012 | $17,940 |

‡ 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 Yang Shanshen worth?

Across 384 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yang Shanshen work is $6,498. The median Yang Shanshen work on paper sells for $3,852 across 84 lots. The median Yang Shanshen painting sells for $6,812 across 71 lots. The median Yang Shanshen photograph sells for $12,256 across 7 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Yang Shanshen work on papers typically sell for $1,243–$5,456 (the middle half of 44 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Yang Shanshen paintings typically sell for $2,895–$40,123 (the middle half of 29 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 Yang Shanshen work on paper?

Based on 84 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yang Shanshen work on paper is $3,852. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Yang Shanshen's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Yang Shanshen work on paper is $611,810.

### What is the average price of a Yang Shanshen painting?

Based on 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yang Shanshen painting is $6,812. 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 Yang Shanshen's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Yang Shanshen painting is $182,378. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a large Yang Shanshen work on paper?

Based on 44 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Yang Shanshen work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $3,351, 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 Yang Shanshen painting?

Based on 29 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Yang Shanshen painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $17,432, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Yang Shanshen's auction record?

Yang Shanshen's auction record is $611,810, set in 2005.

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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, “Yang Shanshen auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yang-shanshen-4 (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.