Zhao Mengfu Auction Prices and Value Guide

Zhao Mengfu auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 219 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Zhao Mengfu auction prices: quick answer

Zhao Mengfu auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Zhao Mengfu
Source records
219
Market update
2026-02-06

Zhao Mengfu market snapshot

Zhao Mengfu shows solid auction liquidity with 84 tracked lots. Median realized sale is around $2,500. Category concentration is still broad or sparse. Last 12 months recorded 19 sales. Latest recorded sale: 2026-01-18.

Realized price distribution

  • Under $1,000 (22.0% · 11 sales)
  • $1,000 to $10,000 (46.0% · 23 sales)
  • $10,000+ (32.0% · 16 sales)
Median sale (last 12 months)
$1,600
Sales recorded (last 12 months)
19
Median shift vs prior year
+77.8%
Latest recorded sale
2026-01-18

Artist context

About Zhao Mengfu

Zhao Mengfu (1254–1322) was a Chinese calligrapher, painter, and scholar who served as a high official during the Yuan dynasty. A descendant of the Song dynasty imperial house through Emperor Taizu, Zhao occupied an unusual position at the Mongol-led Yuan court, where he rose to govern Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Chinese art history, whose painting and calligraphy bridged Song dynasty traditions and the emerging literati aesthetic of the Yuan era. His work in landscape, animal subjects, and calligraphic scripts influenced generations of scholar-artists. Known by multiple art names including Songxue daoren and Oubo, Zhao's legacy encompasses both his artistic output and his role in shaping the ideals of the literati painting tradition that dominated Chinese art for centuries.

Yuan dynasty literati paintingink on paperwood (plant material)landscapeanimal representation

Common works and media

Zhao Mengfu is best known for ink landscape paintings on paper or silk, often in handscroll or hanging scroll format. He produced celebrated horse-and-rider compositions and animal paintings, particularly depictions of horses and sheep. His calligraphy, especially in regular, running, and cursive scripts, is considered among the finest of the Yuan period. Additional work types that may appear in appraisal contexts include album leaves with landscape or figure subjects, Buddhist-themed paintings, and calligraphic transcriptions of classical texts. Later reproductive prints and woodblock editions inspired by his compositions also circulate in the market.

Market and appraisal context

Works attributed to Zhao Mengfu are exceptionally rare and appear infrequently at public auction, making each appearance a significant market event. Appraisal of Zhao's work depends heavily on confirmed attribution, as many circulating pieces are later copies, workshop productions, or follower works. Key valuation factors include medium and format (handscrolls, album leaves, hanging scrolls), subject matter, condition of the paper or silk support, provenance history, and whether the work has been published or exhibited by a recognized institution. Collectors and appraisers should exercise caution with attributions and seek specialist scholarly assessment, as the body of securely authenticated Zhao Mengfu paintings is small.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Value drivers

  1. Attribution and authenticity are critical; works by Zhao Mengfu are rare and many attributed pieces have been reattributed or remain debated
  2. Medium and format (handscroll, album leaf, hanging scroll) significantly affect value
  3. Provenance and documented exhibition or publication history are key differentiators
  4. Condition is especially important for works on paper from the 13th–14th century
  5. Subject matter (landscapes, horse-and-rider compositions, Buddhist themes) influences collector interest

Appraisal caveats

  • Many works attributed to Zhao Mengfu in circulation are later copies or works from his workshop and followers; confirmed autograph paintings are extremely rare.
  • No auction-house-specific realized-price data was available in the collected source pack; market commentary above reflects general factors for Yuan dynasty masters.
  • Collectors should rely on specialist scholarly opinion and published catalogue entries when evaluating attribution.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.

Source-grounded artist Markdown

Data basis

This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.

LLM-readable Markdown summary for Zhao Mengfu

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Zhao Mengfu worth?

Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.

Can Appraisily value my Zhao Mengfu artwork?

Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.