1895–1966
Sanyu
487results on record
94%sell-through
$42,654median result (USD, incl. premium; 100% observed, 0% estimated from hammer)
$38,849,652record in our coverage
Drawn from 487 recorded results (473 sold · 14 passed) across 4 auction houses, 1998–2026. 10 upcoming lots on the ledger. What we cover
Median sold price by year typical estimate range median result USD, incl. premium; 100% observed, 0% estimated from hammer method · log scale
Where does a value land in this market?
The same figure also answers the seller's question: which house clears a work like this, and for how much — expected proceeds by house, from the sell-through the rest of this page is built on.
Every sold result for this market, low to high (log scale) — the dashed line is the median. Enter a value to see where it lands.
By medium where medium is recorded or stated in the catalog line
| Medium | Results | Sell-through | Median result (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| works on paper | 161 | 100% | $39,503 |
| painting | 55 | 100% | $2,973,446 |
| prints | 11 | n/a | $17,644 |
| ceramics & design | 10 | 88% | $19,113 |
| other | 5 | 100% | $25,798 |
Medium is recorded for 242 of 487 results (50%) — rows above cover that subset; the rest of the record is in the full ledger below.
Compared with Zao Wou-ki Sanyu Zao Wou-ki
| Metric | Sanyu | Zao Wou-ki |
|---|---|---|
| Median result | $42,654 | $25,805 |
| Record price | $38,849,652 | $65,225,435 |
| Results on record | 487 | 2,233 |
| Years active at auction | 1998–2026 | 1998–2026 |
Related artists: Zao Wou-kiChu Teh-chunJu MingWalasse Ting
Market strength liquidity score, 0–100 · method
91/ 100
- Sell-through94%
- Meets estimate84%
- Market depth487 results
How readily and near-estimate this market clears — sell-through, estimate reliability, and depth, blended into one score. "Meets estimate" is the share of sold lots hammering at or above the low estimate, over catalogs that print a real appraisal: a house whose printed low is a starting bid would meet its estimate on every lot, so those lots are excluded from this term only — their prices and outcomes still count in the other two. Method →
Where this artist sells best
| House | Results | Sell-through | Median | vs. estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christie's | 218 | 100% | $48,004 | — |
| Sotheby's | 223 | 97% | $40,122 | 1.57× |
| Phillips | 46 | 85% | $36,474 | — |
| Bonhams | 10 | 70% | $20,932 | 1.04× |
The same artist across every house we cover — hammer-vs-estimate side by side. A dash in the estimate column can mean withheld rather than unpublished: the house publishes no hammer price, or its printed low is a starting bid rather than an appraisal. Method →
Prices realized 507 recorded lots — sold, passed, and upcoming — results in USD incl. premium; est. marks a premium estimated from the house's schedule ✓ Includes 14 passed lots
| Date | Lot | Medium | vs. estimate | Estimate USD | Result USD, incl. premium | House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 realized prices on this page are locked. A Research Pass reads 50 of them for $19, once — buy a pass | ||||||
| 2005·11 | Sanyu | Print: 14.8 x 19.5 cm. (5 7/8 x 7 5/8 in.) | $2,579–$3,869 | Christie's | ||
| 2005·11 | Sanyu | ink and charcoal drawing on paper | $10,317–$15,475 | Christie's | ||
| 2005·06 | Lying Woman | ink on paper | $6,431–$15,434 | Christie's | ||
| 2003·11 | Sanyu | pencil on paper | $5,150–$7,724 | Christie's | ||
| 2003·11 | Sanyu | oil on canvas | $90,119–$128,741 | Christie's | ||
| 2003·11 | Sanyu | ink on paper | $5,150–$7,724 | Christie's | ||
| 1998·01 | (Chang Yu, 1901-1966) | oil on canvas | $258,532–$517,063 | Christie's | ||
Realized prices are sold by the record: 50 for $19, non-expiring. Reading them at volume is what Starter is for.