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

# Zuo Zongtang (1812–1885)

## What is Zuo Zongtang’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 270 auction results for Zuo Zongtang at 16 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,925 including buyer’s premium (middle half $807–$10,880, n=29). The auction record is $131,687 for Letters from Zuo Zongtang to Hu Xueyan (2014, Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Letters from Zuo Zongtang to Hu Xueyan | Letters | $131,687 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2014 |
| 2 | 行书七言联 | Ink on paper | $117,752 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2023 |
| 3 | Running Script Calligraphy, 1812 | Hanging scrolls | $112,151 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 4 | 行书节录朱子《近思录》, 1877年作 | 水墨纸本 | $100,276 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2018 |
| 5 | Calligraphy Couplet in Running Script, 1970 | Book | $71,860 | Bonhams | Oct 2018 |
| 6 | Calligraphy Couplet in Xingshu | Ink on gold-flecked red paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $67,724 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| 7 | seven-character calligraphy couplet in running script | Ink on paper | $65,660 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2021 |
| 8 | Seven-Character Calligraphy Couplet in Running Script | Ink on paper | $63,513 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | May 2024 |
| 9 | 行书七言联 对联 | Ink on paper | $63,508 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2023 |
| 10 | Eight-character Calligraphic Couplet in Running Script, 1946 | Ink on patterned colour paper | $61,586 | Christie's | Apr 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 36 | $21,018 |
| Other | 47 | $4,985 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 50 | $15,313 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $1,097 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 270 results from 16 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Zuo Zongtang is a Chinese artist with 337 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $8,417. 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 Zuo Zongtang sold in 2026 for $45,688, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Zuo Zongtang work worth?

Across 270 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zuo Zongtang work is $8,417.

The median Zuo Zongtang work on paper sells for $14,588 across 120 lots.

The median Zuo Zongtang print sells for $435 across 2 lots.

The median Zuo Zongtang painting sells for $3,473 across 1 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Zuo Zongtang work on papers typically sell for $3,993–$35,603 (the middle half of 103 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 | 2 | $435‡ | $470 | — | 2025-03-14 |
| Paintings | 1 | $3,473 | $3,473 | — | 2025-11-12 |
| Works on Paper | 124 | $14,588‡ | $207,725‡ | 96.8% | 2026-09-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $109,599‡ | $207,725‡ | — | 2023-07-04 |

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

Zuo Zongtang's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $435. Paintings (1 lots) median $3,473, record $3,473. A typical Zuo Zongtang painting sells for around 8.0× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 10 lots) the median is $109,599.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $1,533–$5,694‡ | $2,925‡ | $60,721 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 103 | $3,993–$35,603‡ | $14,360‡ | $207,725‡ |

‡ 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 | 2016 | $207,725‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $194,392‡ |
| Paintings | 2025 | $3,473 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $470 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $401‡ |

‡ 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 Zuo Zongtang worth?

Across 270 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zuo Zongtang work is $8,417. The median Zuo Zongtang work on paper sells for $14,588 across 120 lots. The median Zuo Zongtang print sells for $435 across 2 lots. The median Zuo Zongtang painting sells for $3,473 across 1 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Zuo Zongtang work on papers typically sell for $3,993–$35,603 (the middle half of 103 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 Zuo Zongtang work on paper?

Based on 120 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zuo Zongtang work on paper is $14,588. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zuo Zongtang's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zuo Zongtang work on paper is $207,725. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a large Zuo Zongtang work on paper?

Based on 103 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Zuo Zongtang work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $14,360, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zuo Zongtang's auction record?

Zuo Zongtang's auction record is $207,725, set in 2016. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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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, “Zuo Zongtang auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zuo-zongtang (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.