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

# Zhang Boju (1898–1982)

## What is Zhang Boju’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 217 auction results for Zhang Boju at 17 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,357 including buyer’s premium (middle half $503–$3,232, n=32). The auction record is $98,768 for Zhang Boju Niupen Zhaji (Notes from Zhang Boju's Cow Shed) (2025, China Zhonghongxin International Auction). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zhang Boju Niupen Zhaji (Notes from Zhang Boju's Cow Shed) | Complete manuscript of diaries and autobiographical writings | $98,768 | China Zhonghongxin International Auction | Jun 2025 |
| 2 | Jin Lü Qu, 1977 | Ink on paper | $56,735 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2020 |
| 3 | Orchids | Hanging scroll | $48,412 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2016 |
| 4 | Four poems 'Yu Mei Ren' (虞美人) for Yang Shaoji (杨绍箕) | 水墨纸本 | $45,631 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Nov 2016 |
| 5 | Orchid/Calligraphic Couplet, 1898 | Ink | $32,234 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |
| 6 | 行书自作词, 1976年作 | 水墨纸本 | $26,732 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2016 |
| 7 | 赠曹辛之先生诗 | 镜心 | $24,191 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | May 2016 |
| 8 | 行书七言嵌名联 | Hanging scroll | $23,779 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 9 | 行书藏头七言联 | 水墨纸本 | $23,330 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2015 |
| 10 | Jing Xin | Calligraphy | $22,997 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2017 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 24 | $3,596 |
| Other | 43 | $3,251 |
| Paintings | 6 | $627 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $3,198 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 25 | $1,272 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 217 results from 17 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Zhang Boju is a Chinese artist with 260 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $3,611. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Zhang Boju sold in 2026 for $5,090, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Zhang Boju work worth?

Across 217 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhang Boju work is $3,611.

The median Zhang Boju work on paper sells for $3,380 across 101 lots.

The median Zhang Boju painting sells for $1,951 across 17 lots.

The median Zhang Boju photograph sells for $493 across 1 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Zhang Boju work on papers typically sell for $1,157–$18,628 (the middle half of 31 sold 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 18 | $1,951‡ | $27,532‡ | 94.4% | 2026-04-25 |
| Works on Paper | 106 | $3,380‡ | $56,735 | 95.3% | 2026-09-11 |
| Photography | 1 | $493‡ | $493‡ | — | 2025-12-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $56,735‡ | $113,962‡ | — | 2025-06-08 |

‡ 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) | 5 | $501–$9,791‡ | $1,014‡ | $16,785‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $627–$17,220‡ | $2,502‡ | $27,532‡ |

‡ 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) | 18 | $1,503–$9,388‡ | $2,515‡ | $45,630 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 31 | $1,157–$18,628‡ | $4,539‡ | $56,735 |

‡ 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 | 2020 | $56,735 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $56,626‡ |
| Paintings | 2020 | $27,532‡ |
| Paintings | 2021 | $18,583‡ |
| Photography | 2025 | $493‡ |

‡ 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 Zhang Boju worth?

Across 217 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhang Boju work is $3,611. The median Zhang Boju work on paper sells for $3,380 across 101 lots. The median Zhang Boju painting sells for $1,951 across 17 lots. The median Zhang Boju photograph sells for $493 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Zhang Boju work on papers typically sell for $1,157–$18,628 (the middle half of 31 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Zhang Boju work on paper?

Based on 101 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhang Boju work on paper is $3,380. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhang Boju's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhang Boju work on paper is $56,735.

### What is the average price of a Zhang Boju painting?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhang Boju painting is $1,951. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhang Boju's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhang Boju painting is $27,532. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Zhang Boju work on paper?

Based on 31 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zhang Boju work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,539, 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 small Zhang Boju work on paper?

Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Zhang Boju work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,515, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhang Boju's auction record?

Zhang Boju's auction record is $113,962, set in 2025. 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, “Zhang Boju auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zhang-boju (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.