Zeng Guofan (1811–1872)
What is Zeng Guofan’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 250 auction results for Zeng Guofan at 20 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,401 including buyer’s premium (middle half $948–$12,183, n=33). The auction record is $240,869 for Calligraphy Couplet in Xingshu II (2022, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calligraphy Couplet in Xingshu II | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $240,869 | Sotheby's | Apr 2022 |
| 2 | 曾国藩 致右坪信札 册页四十二开 | 册页 | $239,915 | Guangzhou Huayi International Auction (Holly's) | Nov 2018 |
| 3 | 行书八言联 | 水墨纸本 | $206,439 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2013 |
| 4 | Letters from Zeng Guofan to He Shaoji | Ink on paper (Qing manuscript, 1 letter, 7 pages) | $193,287 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2023 |
| 5 | LETTERS, 1839 | Ink on paper, album of sixty-two leaves | $161,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2013 |
| 6 | Poems in Standard Script, 1811 | Ink | $160,865 | Christie's | Jun 2023 |
| 7 | Poem in Xingshu | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $145,977 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 8 | Running-Cursive Script Calligraphy, 1811 | Hanging scrolls | $135,426 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 9 | Seven-character calligraphy couplet in running script | Ink on paper | $125,569 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2021 |
| 10 | Running Script Calligraphy, 1811 | Ink | $113,343 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 48 | $20,354 |
| Other | 37 | $1,582 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 41 | $19,460 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 12 | $2,035 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $1,832 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 250 results from 20 houses · How we compute these figures
Zeng Guofan is a Chinese artist with 322 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $5,450. 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 Zeng Guofan sold in 2026 for $10,240, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Zeng Guofan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Zeng Guofan on OpeningBid →What is a Zeng Guofan work worth?
Across 250 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zeng Guofan work is $5,450.
The median Zeng Guofan work on paper sells for $12,601 across 108 lots.
The median Zeng Guofan print sells for $2,902 across 1 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Zeng Guofan work on papers typically sell for $1,851–$62,075 (the middle half of 82 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 | 1 | $2,902 | $2,902 | — | 2025-09-28 |
| Works on Paper | 112 | $12,601‡ | $848,210‡ | 96.4% | 2026-06-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 23 | $145,977†‡ | $848,210‡ | — | 2024-11-27 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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) | 12 | $1,999–$17,447‡ | $8,877‡ | $135,426 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 82 | $1,851–$62,075‡ | $13,407‡ | $848,210‡ |
‡ 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 | $848,210‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $244,003‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $2,902 |
‡ 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 Zeng Guofan worth?
Across 250 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zeng Guofan work is $5,450. The median Zeng Guofan work on paper sells for $12,601 across 108 lots. The median Zeng Guofan print sells for $2,902 across 1 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Zeng Guofan work on papers typically sell for $1,851–$62,075 (the middle half of 82 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 Zeng Guofan work on paper?
Based on 108 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zeng Guofan work on paper is $12,601. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Zeng Guofan's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Zeng Guofan work on paper is $848,210. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a large Zeng Guofan work on paper?
Based on 82 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Zeng Guofan work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $13,407, 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 Zeng Guofan work on paper?
Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zeng Guofan work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,877, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Zeng Guofan's auction record?
Zeng Guofan's auction record is $848,210, set in 2016. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Zeng Guofan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Zeng Guofan on OpeningBid →