Yue Yu (1821–1907)
What is Yue Yu’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 177 auction results for Yue Yu at 17 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,896 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,899–$6,801, n=8). The auction record is $71,379 for Qiu Jian Quan (2024, Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qiu Jian Quan, Qing dynasty | Lacquered wood (paulownia top, catalpa bottom) with mother-of-pearl inlays | $71,379 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2024 |
| 2 | 隶书《急就篇》句 | 水墨纸本 | $47,201 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2013 |
| 3 | 隶书十言联 | Hanging scroll | $24,558 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2019 |
| 4 | Hu Lou Bi Tan | Handwritten manuscript on paper with red columns | $20,790 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2025 |
| 5 | Yan Yun Ku (Cave of Misty Clouds), Qing dynasty | Lingbi stone | $13,475 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 6 | 隶书八言联 | Ink on paper | $12,981 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 7 | A BRICK-SHAPED INKSTONE INSCRIBED BY YU YUE | Inkstone inscribed with calligraphy | $12,389 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2010 |
| 8 | 行书自作诗 | Ink on paper | $11,944 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2020 |
| 9 | 行书七言诗 | 水墨纸本 | $11,328 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2013 |
| 10 | 隶书《文心雕龙·诠赋》 | Calligraphy on paper, hanging scroll | $10,822 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2017 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 22 | $4,503 |
| Works on paper | 15 | $3,531 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $8,801 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $3,336 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $3,319 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 177 results from 17 houses · How we compute these figures
Yue Yu is a Chinese artist with 217 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $4,093. 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 Yue Yu sold in 2025 for $20,790, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Yue Yu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Yue Yu on OpeningBid →What is a Yue Yu work worth?
Across 177 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yue Yu work is $4,093.
The median Yue Yu work on paper sells for $5,868 across 50 lots.
The median Yue Yu print sells for $877 across 2 lots.
The median Yue Yu painting sells for $905 across 2 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Yue Yu work on papers typically sell for $4,082–$14,529 (the middle half of 31 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2 | $877 | $1,589 | — | 2024-06-13 |
| Paintings | 2 | $905‡ | $1,122 | — | 2023-06-10 |
| Works on Paper | 52 | $5,868‡ | $74,215‡ | 96.2% | 2024-12-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $64,585‡ | $74,215‡ | — | 2024-07-13 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Yue Yu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $877. Paintings (2 lots) median $905, record $1,122. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $64,585.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $1,199–$5,635‡ | $2,493‡ | $14,415‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 31 | $4,082–$14,529‡ | $8,026‡ | $74,215‡ |
‡ 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 | 2015 | $74,215‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $64,585‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $1,589 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $1,122 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $688‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $165 |
‡ 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 Yue Yu worth?
Across 177 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yue Yu work is $4,093. The median Yue Yu work on paper sells for $5,868 across 50 lots. The median Yue Yu print sells for $877 across 2 lots. The median Yue Yu painting sells for $905 across 2 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Yue Yu work on papers typically sell for $4,082–$14,529 (the middle half of 31 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 Yue Yu work on paper?
Based on 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yue Yu work on paper is $5,868. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Yue Yu's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Yue Yu work on paper is $74,215. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a large Yue Yu work on paper?
Based on 31 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Yue Yu work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $8,026, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Yue Yu's auction record?
Yue Yu's auction record is $74,215, set in 2015. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Yue Yu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Yue Yu on OpeningBid →