[Hong Kong, November 18, 2026] Christie's Hong Kong Autumn Sale 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, with a wide array of art treasures presented during the three-day intense bidding. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Chinese Ancient Jades and Works of Art' specialist sale performed exceptionally well, achieving a total sale value of HK$280 million and a sell-through rate of 89%, significantly exceeding market expectations. High-end Hetian jade handpieces, as the star lots of this sale, once again demonstrated their unshakeable position in the collecting world.
A total of 120 lots were offered in this specialist sale, with Hetian jade handpieces accounting for nearly half. The most striking was a Qing Dynasty white jade mythical beast handpiece titled 'Auspicious Beast Presenting Good Fortune'. This piece features warm and delicate jade, exquisite carving, a vivid and lifelike mythical beast, and a rich, natural patina. After multiple rounds of bidding, it finally hammered for HK$45 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of HK$20 million, with a premium rate of 125%. Another 'Blessings and Longevity' pebble jade handpiece, with its rare mutton-fat white jade quality and ingenious carving techniques, ultimately sold for HK$32 million, an increase of 113% compared to its HK$15 million estimate. Overall, the average transaction price of Hetian jade handpieces in this sale increased by approximately 18% compared to the same period last year, indicating strong market growth momentum.
Mr. Jonathan Stone, Chairman of Christie's Asia and International Director of Chinese Works of Art, stated after the auction: "The success of this autumn sale, particularly the outstanding performance of Hetian jade handpieces, once again confirms the resilience and vitality of the top-tier jade collecting market. There is strong demand from collectors for exquisite jade pieces that possess rarity, artistry, and historical value, especially those from renowned private collections or with clear provenance. Their value is highly recognized by the market."
Professor Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: "In recent years, the high-end Hetian jade market has shown two significant trends. Firstly, the concept of 'prioritizing material over craftsmanship' is gradually being replaced by 'excellence in both material and craftsmanship'. While pursuing jade quality, collectors are increasingly valuing the exquisite degree of carving and artistic expression. Secondly, the pursuit of pebble jade continues to heat up, especially pebble jade with unique skin colors or natural shapes, whose collection value and investment potential are being further explored. The multiple high-priced pebble jade handpieces sold in this auction are strong evidence of this trend. It is expected that in the next few years, driven by macroeconomic stability and enhanced cultural confidence, high-end Hetian jade, especially exquisite pebble jade handpieces, will maintain a steady upward trajectory, with an annual appreciation rate expected to remain between 10%-15%."
The success of this auction not only brought substantial revenue to Christie's but also sent a clear signal to the global collecting community: in the field of art investment, traditional Chinese jade, especially Hetian jade, is becoming a focal point for collectors worldwide due to its unique charm and scarcity. In the future, with the release of more exquisite jade pieces, the enthusiasm of this market is expected to continue to rise.