BEIJING, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated China Guardian 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction volume for this spring auction reached RMB 2.85 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82.3%, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This demonstrates a strong recovery trend in the art market, especially in the jade sector. Notably, the Hetian Jade special session performed exceptionally well, with multiple significant pieces achieving high prices, becoming the biggest highlight of this auction.
Hetian Jade Special Session: Masterpieces Emerge, Achieving New Heights
The “Heavenly Creations – Hetian Jade Masterpieces” special session at this spring auction featured 120 lots, with 108 pieces successfully sold, achieving a sell-through rate of 90% and a total transaction volume exceeding RMB 350 million. Among them, a highly anticipated Qing Dynasty Qianlong period “White Jade Carved Immortal Mountain and Pavilion Landscape Sculpture” was hammered down at an astonishing price of RMB 88 million, far exceeding its pre-auction estimate of RMB 50 million, with a premium rate as high as 76%. This mountain sculpture, with its delicate and warm jade quality and exquisite craftsmanship, perfectly captured the ethereal charm of an immortal mountain and pavilions, leading to intense bidding among collectors present. Another piece, a “Hetian Jade Seed Material Auspicious Beast Hand Piece,” also sold for RMB 12 million, an increase of 50% from its estimate of RMB 8 million. Many exquisite Hetian jade ornaments, hand pieces, and jewelry items were sold at prices higher than their estimates, fully demonstrating the strong market demand for high-quality Hetian jade.
Market Analysis: Strong Demand for High-End Jade, Investment Value Highlighted
Mr. Zhang Hua, head of China Guardian's Jade Department, stated in an interview: “The excellent performance of the Hetian Jade special session at this spring auction once again confirms the robustness and vitality of the high-end jade market. In the current global economic environment with its complex and volatile changes, top-tier Hetian jade, with its scarcity, artistic value, and cultural connotations, increasingly highlights its functions of hedging and preserving/increasing value, attracting the attention of many seasoned collectors and high-net-worth individuals.”
From the data, it is evident that in this auction, Hetian jade masterpieces with perfect condition, superior jade quality, and exquisite craftsmanship generally achieved transaction prices higher than market expectations, and even saw premium sales. This indicates a strong pursuit of “fine, rare, and unique” jade treasures in the market. At the same time, some imperial court-made or renowned private collection jade pieces with clear provenance also showed extremely high market recognition.
Expert Commentary: Rational Investment, Focus on Cultural Value
Li Ming, a renowned jade appraisal expert and professor at Peking University's School of Archaeology and Museology, pointed out: “The current Hetian jade market is undergoing a process of rational return. Collectors are no longer blindly pursuing 'whiteness,' but are paying more attention to the warmth, oiliness, skin color characteristics, and artistic quality of the carving craftsmanship. The high-priced lots in this auction are all masterpieces that have achieved the ultimate in these aspects. For investors, in addition to focusing on the material itself, they should also deeply understand its underlying cultural value, historical heritage, and artistic style, which are key to determining its long-term investment value.”
Professor Li also suggested that as the market matures, fakes and inferior products are also emerging in an endless stream. Collectors must be cautious when entering the market, choose reputable auction houses and professional institutions, and seek professional appraisal opinions.
Future Outlook: Optimistic Market Prospects, Continued Rise of Fine Jade
Looking ahead, the industry generally believes that with the steady development of China's economy and the enhancement of cultural confidence, the high-end art market, especially the Hetian jade market with its profound cultural heritage, will continue to remain active. The scarcity of fine Hetian jade determines its long-term value, and it is expected that in the next few years, the market demand for top-tier Hetian jade will continue to grow, and its prices will also rise steadily. The success of this China Guardian spring auction undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the entire art market, heralding the arrival of a vibrant era of collecting.