> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zhao-shuru-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Zhao Shuru (1874–1945)

## What is Zhao Shuru’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 627 auction results for Zhao Shuru at 20 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,768 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,847–$9,259, n=59). The auction record is $111,518 for A TIANHUANG SEAL MADE FOR WU RENZHI (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A TIANHUANG SEAL MADE FOR WU RENZHI | Tianhuang boulder carved in low relief | $111,518 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 2 | Horse in Spring Field, 1943 | Ink and color on paper, hanging scroll | $83,264 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2025 |
| 3 | Gong Xinming's personal use Shoushan stone seal pair, Yichou | Shoushan stone | $67,640 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2026 |
| 4 | 赵叔孺刻古兽钮田黄石奚鄂庐自用印 | Tianhuang stone | $64,175 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2025 |
| 5 | Shoushan stone seal engraved for Zhang Lu'an's private use, 1926年作 | Shoushan stone seal | $28,533 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2024 |
| 6 | 赵叔孺刻寿山石自用印, 1897年作 | Shoushan stone seal | $24,617 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Dec 2025 |
| 7 | 赵叔孺刻寿山石方章, 1927年作 | Shoushan stone | $23,719 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jan 2012 |
| 8 | Egret in Autumn Pond, 1944 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $22,650 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| 9 | Fengtoucong, 1925 | 设色纸本 | $20,564 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2019 |
| 10 | A PRIVATE SHOUSHAN STONE SEAL FOR LIN JINXUE, 1939年作 | Shoushan stone | $19,873 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2012 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 84 | $6,491 |
| Prints | 7 | $5,554 |
| Works on paper | 19 | $3,105 |
| Paintings | 5 | $2,829 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 42 | $7,396 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 26 | $3,729 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 14 | $3,480 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 627 results from 20 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Zhao Shuru is a Chinese artist with 718 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $4,494. 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 Zhao Shuru sold in 2026 for $9,334, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Zhao Shuru work worth?

Across 626 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhao Shuru work is $4,494.

The median Zhao Shuru work on paper sells for $2,559 across 75 lots.

The median Zhao Shuru painting sells for $2,829 across 27 lots.

The median Zhao Shuru sculpture sells for $16,232 across 15 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Zhao Shuru work on papers typically sell for $1,835–$7,084 (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 9 | $4,776 | $8,251 | — | 2025-06-07 |
| Paintings | 34 | $2,829‡ | $8,254‡ | 79.4% | 2026-04-26 |
| Works on Paper | 76 | $2,559‡ | $83,264 | — | 2026-09-09 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 16 | $16,232‡ | $111,518 | 93.8% | 2024-06-11 |
| Photography | 1 | — | — | — | 2012-12-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $33,104‡ | $111,518 | — | 2026-05-10 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Zhao Shuru's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (9 lots) median $4,776. Paintings (34 lots) median $2,829, record $8,254. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 12 lots) the median is $33,104.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $396–$3,223‡ | $1,371‡ | $8,254‡ |

‡ 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) | 6 | $1,170–$4,155‡ | $1,847‡ | $13,752 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $1,136–$4,325‡ | $1,796‡ | $22,650 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 29 | $1,835–$7,084‡ | $3,554‡ | $83,264 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $111,518 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $83,264 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $23,736‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $22,650 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $8,254‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $8,251 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $6,347 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $5,181 |

‡ 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 Zhao Shuru worth?

Across 626 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhao Shuru work is $4,494. The median Zhao Shuru work on paper sells for $2,559 across 75 lots. The median Zhao Shuru painting sells for $2,829 across 27 lots. The median Zhao Shuru sculpture sells for $16,232 across 15 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Zhao Shuru work on papers typically sell for $1,835–$7,084 (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 Zhao Shuru work on paper?

Based on 75 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhao Shuru work on paper is $2,559. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhao Shuru's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhao Shuru work on paper is $83,264.

### What is the average price of a Zhao Shuru painting?

Based on 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhao Shuru painting is $2,829. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhao Shuru's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhao Shuru painting is $8,254. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Zhao Shuru sculpture?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhao Shuru sculpture is $16,232. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhao Shuru's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhao Shuru sculpture is $111,518.

### What is the average price of a large Zhao Shuru work on paper?

Based on 29 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Zhao Shuru work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $3,554, 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 Zhao Shuru work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zhao Shuru work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,796, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhao Shuru's auction record?

Zhao Shuru's auction record is $111,518, set in 2018.

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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, “Zhao Shuru auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zhao-shuru-2 (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.