Zhao Zhiqian (1829–1884)
What is Zhao Zhiqian’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 564 auction results for Zhao Zhiqian at 27 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $15,575 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,954–$85,290, n=45). The auction record is $1,884,660 for Qianfu Lun (2023, Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qianfu Lun, 1872 | Ink on paper | $1,884,660 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Feb 2023 |
| 2 | 定光佛再世坠落娑媻世界凡夫 | Qingtian stone seal | $1,843,178 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2026 |
| 3 | 赵之谦考据《刘熊碑》并双钩本 | Double-line drawing/calligraphy based on Liu Xiong Stele | $1,440,079 | Guangzhou Huayi International Auction (Holly's) | May 2018 |
| 4 | Classics in Standard Script, 1829 | Album | $1,345,519 | Christie's | Jun 2023 |
| 5 | 赵之谦 行书 四屏立轴 | Ink on paper | $1,082,966 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2014 |
| 6 | Peaches, 1829 | Ink | $704,951 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 7 | PERENNIALS, 1865 | Ink on paper; ink and colour on paper, album of twelve leaves | $590,963 | Sotheby's | Oct 2009 |
| 8 | 绩溪翁, 1871 | Seal carving | $497,324 | China Sungari International Auction (中贸圣佳国际拍卖) | Dec 2023 |
| 9 | PLUM BLOSSOMS IN SPRING, 1872 | Ink and colour on paper, fan leaf, framed | $406,927 | Sotheby's | Apr 2013 |
| 10 | Calligraphy in Clerical Script, 1829 | Ink | $404,796 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 78 | $48,086 |
| Other | 69 | $7,473 |
| Paintings | 6 | $3,427 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 40 | $40,229 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 28 | $7,278 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 39 | $7,265 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 564 results from 27 houses · How we compute these figures
Zhao Zhiqian is a Chinese artist with 804 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $8,282. 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 Zhiqian sold in 2026 for $54,584, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Zhao Zhiqian record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Zhao Zhiqian on OpeningBid →What is a Zhao Zhiqian work worth?
Across 564 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhao Zhiqian work is $8,282.
The median Zhao Zhiqian work on paper sells for $23,899 across 173 lots.
The median Zhao Zhiqian painting sells for $1,969 across 38 lots.
The median Zhao Zhiqian sculpture sells for $115,145 across 10 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Zhao Zhiqian work on papers typically sell for $2,953–$136,095 (the middle half of 72 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Zhao Zhiqian work on papers typically sell for $882–$61,290 (the middle half of 32 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 | 4 | $6,008 | $11,045 | — | 2025-11-23 |
| Paintings | 45 | $1,969‡ | $65,705‡ | 84.4% | 2025-12-21 |
| Works on Paper | 194 | $23,899‡ | $2.7M‡ | 89.2% | 2026-10-27 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 11 | $115,145‡ | $497,324 | 90.9% | 2025-06-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 61 | $269,000‡ | $2.7M‡ | — | 2026-05-10 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Zhao Zhiqian's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (4 lots) median $6,008. Paintings (45 lots) median $1,969, record $65,705. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 61 lots) the median is $269,000.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $575–$3,242‡ | $1,121‡ | $17,316‡ |
‡ 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) | 24 | $4,878–$68,975‡ | $24,369‡ | $1.3M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 32 | $882–$61,290‡ | $5,250‡ | $2.7M‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 72 | $2,953–$136,095‡ | $31,127‡ | $1.9M |
‡ 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 | 2021 | $2.7M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $1.9M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $497,324 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $204,848 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $65,705‡ |
| Paintings | 2015 | $19,350 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $11,045 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $971 |
‡ 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 Zhao Zhiqian worth?
Across 564 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhao Zhiqian work is $8,282. The median Zhao Zhiqian work on paper sells for $23,899 across 173 lots. The median Zhao Zhiqian painting sells for $1,969 across 38 lots. The median Zhao Zhiqian sculpture sells for $115,145 across 10 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Zhao Zhiqian work on papers typically sell for $2,953–$136,095 (the middle half of 72 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Zhao Zhiqian work on papers typically sell for $882–$61,290 (the middle half of 32 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 Zhiqian work on paper?
Based on 173 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhao Zhiqian work on paper is $23,899. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Zhao Zhiqian's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhao Zhiqian work on paper is $2,707,647. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Zhao Zhiqian painting?
Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhao Zhiqian painting is $1,969. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Zhao Zhiqian's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhao Zhiqian painting is $65,705. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Zhao Zhiqian sculpture?
Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhao Zhiqian sculpture is $115,145. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Zhao Zhiqian's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhao Zhiqian sculpture is $497,324.
What is the average price of a large Zhao Zhiqian work on paper?
Based on 72 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Zhao Zhiqian work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $31,127, 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 Zhiqian work on paper?
Based on 32 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zhao Zhiqian work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Zhao Zhiqian's auction record?
Zhao Zhiqian's auction record is $2,707,647, set in 2021. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Zhao Zhiqian record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Zhao Zhiqian on OpeningBid →