> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zongyi-rao · updated 2026-11-03

# Zongyi Rao (1917–2018)

## What is Zongyi Rao’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 121 auction results for Zongyi Rao at 4 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $10,608 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,503–$25,991, n=17). The auction record is $339,319 for Scenery of China (2024, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scenery of China, 2000 | Ink and colour on paper, set of twelve, framed | $339,319 | Sotheby's | Oct 2024 |
| 2 | Calligraphy - Fortune, Prosperty, Longevity, 1917 | Ink | $136,886 | Christie's | May 2021 |
| 3 | Twin Pines, 1917 | Ink | $128,834 | Christie's | May 2021 |
| 4 | Lychee, 1989 | Ink and colour on paper | $119,413 | Bonhams | Apr 2021 |
| 5 | Mount Tai, 1917 | Burlap | $112,876 | Christie's | Dec 2020 |
| 6 | Calligraphy in Clerical Script, 1917 | Ink | $112,218 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 7 | Calligraphy in Running Script - Pride of Hong Kong, 1917 | Ink | $104,340 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 8 | Peaches, 1987 | Ink and colour on paper | $102,354 | Bonhams | Apr 2021 |
| 9 | Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity, 1917 | A set of three scrolls, mounted and framed, ink on gold-flecked red paper | $96,187 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 10 | Guanyin under Pine, 1917 | Ink | $80,644 | Christie's | Jul 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 8 | $67,163 |
| Works on paper | 110 | $22,553 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 32 | $24,303 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 71 | $22,624 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $16,124 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 121 results from 4 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Zongyi Rao is a Chinese artist with 131 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $25,636.

A work by Zongyi Rao sold in 2025 for $57,119, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Zongyi Rao work worth?

Across 121 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zongyi Rao work is $25,636.

The median Zongyi Rao work on paper sells for $24,124 across 114 lots.

The median Zongyi Rao painting sells for $62,511 across 5 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Zongyi Rao work on papers typically sell for $12,180–$46,271 (the middle half of 69 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Zongyi Rao work on papers typically sell for $10,307–$60,957 (the middle half of 28 sold lots).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 5 | $62,511 | $67,638 | — | 2026-04-24 |
| Works on Paper | 123 | $24,124 | $339,319 | 92.7% | 2026-04-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $116,145 | $339,319 | — | 2024-10-23 |

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $7,790–$66,375 | $22,966 | $339,319 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $10,307–$60,957 | $19,335 | $119,413 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 69 | $12,180–$46,271 | $22,482 | $136,886 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $339,319 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $136,886 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $67,638 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $64,919 |

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 Zongyi Rao worth?

Across 121 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zongyi Rao work is $25,636. The median Zongyi Rao work on paper sells for $24,124 across 114 lots. The median Zongyi Rao painting sells for $62,511 across 5 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Zongyi Rao work on papers typically sell for $12,180–$46,271 (the middle half of 69 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Zongyi Rao work on papers typically sell for $10,307–$60,957 (the middle half of 28 sold lots).

### What is the average price of a Zongyi Rao work on paper?

Based on 114 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zongyi Rao work on paper is $24,124.

### What is Zongyi Rao's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zongyi Rao work on paper is $339,319.

### What is the average price of a large Zongyi Rao work on paper?

Based on 69 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Zongyi Rao work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $22,482, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium Zongyi Rao work on paper?

Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zongyi Rao work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $19,335, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Zongyi Rao's auction record?

Zongyi Rao's auction record is $339,319, set in 2024.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Zongyi Rao auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zongyi-rao (updated 2026-11-03).

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.