Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction: Jade Carving Art Market Rebounds, Masterpieces Fetch High Prices

Beijing, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction volume for this spring auction reached RMB 1.25 billion, with a high sell-through rate of 82%. Among them, the jade carving art section performed particularly well, leading the auction with a total transaction volume of RMB 380 million and a sell-through rate of 91%, an increase of 15 percentage points compared to the same period last year, demonstrating strong market demand and renewed confidence in high-quality jade carving artworks.

A total of 120 exquisite lots were presented in this jade carving special session, with 8 lots exceeding the RMB 10 million mark. The most notable was a Qianlong period (Qing Dynasty) 'White Jade Carved Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Vase', which was hammered at an astonishing price of RMB 58 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate (RMB 35-45 million), with a premium rate of 65.7%. The jade of this vase is delicate and warm, the carving is exquisite and unparalleled, and the dragon and phoenix motifs are lifelike, symbolizing good fortune. It is a quintessential example of Qianlong imperial jade carving. Another highly anticipated lot was contemporary jade carving master Wang Jianping's 'Biyu Carved Landscape and Clear Sound Ornament', which sold for RMB 22 million, setting a new auction record for Wang Jianping's individual works and confirming the continuous heating up of the market for contemporary jade carving masterpieces.

Mr. Zhou, Executive Director and General Manager of Council International Auction House, stated in an interview: "The outstanding performance of the jade carving section in this spring auction fully demonstrates the market's recognition of jade carving artworks that possess scarcity, artistry, and heritage. Particularly, Qing Dynasty imperial jade and contemporary masterworks are being re-evaluated and discovered. We have observed that the buyer structure is more diversified, with a new generation of art enthusiasts and high-net-worth individuals actively participating in bidding, in addition to traditional collectors."

Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:

• Clear Trend Towards Masterpieces: The market shows lukewarm interest in ordinary jade, but demand remains strong for high-quality jade carvings with superior jade, exquisite craftsmanship, and clear provenance, especially those with historical and cultural value or created by renowned artists, with prices repeatedly setting new highs.


• Value Return of Qing Dynasty Imperial Jade: Qianlong period imperial jade, due to its meticulous material selection, exquisite craftsmanship, and imperial grandeur, has always been a market favorite. This auction once again proved that such works have strong resilience against depreciation and appreciation potential.


• Rise of Contemporary Jade Carving Market: As contemporary jade carving masters' skills mature and their innovative awareness strengthens, the artistic and collection value of their works is increasingly prominent. The high-priced transactions of contemporary masterworks in this auction indicate that the contemporary jade carving market is gradually maturing and is expected to become a new growth point in the future.


• Enhanced Investment Attributes: Against the backdrop of increasing global economic uncertainty, high-quality jade carving artworks, as a hard currency with cultural attributes, are increasingly demonstrating their investment value preservation and appreciation attributes, attracting more capital seeking stable investments.

Mr. Li Ming, a renowned jade appraisal expert and professor at Peking University's School of Archaeology and Museology, pointed out: "The success of the jade carving section in this Council International spring auction is a reflection of the market's renewed understanding of the value of traditional Chinese culture and art. Especially that Qianlong white jade vase, whether in terms of jade material, craftsmanship, or historical provenance, has reached its peak, and its high price is well-deserved. At the same time, the rise of contemporary jade carving works is also noteworthy, indicating the collecting community's recognition of the combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern aesthetics. However, he also reminded collectors that investing in jade carvings still requires careful discernment, focusing on the authenticity, condition, and artistic value of the works, and avoiding blind following of trends."

Looking ahead, with the continuous development of the Chinese economy and the enhancement of cultural confidence, the jade carving art market is expected to continue to maintain steady growth. However, market differentiation will become more apparent, and the scarcity of exquisite jade carvings will further push up their prices, while the market performance of ordinary jade may stabilize. For collectors, in-depth research and careful selection remain the golden rules for participating in the jade carving market.