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

# Zhou Zuoren (1885–1967)

## What is Zhou Zuoren’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 104 auction results for Zhou Zuoren at 14 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,874 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,705–$6,444, n=10). The auction record is $762,198 for Correspondences to Mr Hu Shifang (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Correspondences to Mr Hu Shifang, 1885 | Paper letters with envelope, 86 sets | $762,198 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 2 | Jokebook by Zhao Nanxing, 1885 | Thread-bound book | $271,594 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 3 | Two Unpublished Novels, 1885 | Manuscript | $271,594 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 4 | Collection of Zhou Family and Zhou Zuoren Seals, 1885 | Thread-bound book | $159,761 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 5 | Calligraphy, 1885 | Ink | $71,695 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 6 | Two Calligraphies, 1885 | Two fan leaves, mounted and framed, ink on paper/ink on gold-flecked paper | $60,542 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 7 | Calligraphy, 1885 | Ink | $55,763 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 8 | Calligraphic Couplet, 1885 | Calligraphic couplet | $50,983 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 9 | POEM IN KAISHU, 1951 | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $45,071 | Sotheby's | Apr 2013 |
| 10 | Calligraphy- Poem by Lu You, 1885 | Ink | $44,610 | Christie's | May 2018 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 32 | $24,872 |
| Other | 15 | $3,611 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 16 | $24,872 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 15 | $12,270 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 104 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Zhou Zuoren is a Chinese artist with 126 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $9,631. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Zhou Zuoren sold in 2026 for $23,774, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Zhou Zuoren work worth?

Across 104 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhou Zuoren work is $9,631.

The median Zhou Zuoren work on paper sells for $14,161 across 50 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 50 | $14,161‡ | $762,198 | — | 2026-10-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $271,594 | $762,198 | — | 2018-11-26 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $5,128–$35,186‡ | $13,437‡ | $271,594 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $3,097–$41,655‡ | $24,682‡ | $71,695 |

‡ 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 | 2018 | $762,198 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $271,594 |

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 Zhou Zuoren worth?

Across 104 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhou Zuoren work is $9,631. The median Zhou Zuoren work on paper sells for $14,161 across 50 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Zhou Zuoren work on paper?

Based on 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhou Zuoren work on paper is $14,161. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhou Zuoren's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhou Zuoren work on paper is $762,198.

### What is the average price of a medium Zhou Zuoren work on paper?

Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zhou Zuoren work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $24,682, 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 Zhou Zuoren work on paper?

Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Zhou Zuoren work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $13,437, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhou Zuoren's auction record?

Zhou Zuoren's auction record is $762,198, 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, “Zhou Zuoren auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zhou-zuoren (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.