BEIJING, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully today, with the “Tian Gong Kai Wu – Chinese Jade Carving Art” special session performing exceptionally well. The total transaction volume reached RMB 185 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92.3%, far exceeding market expectations and signaling a strong recovery cycle for the jade carving art market.
The jade carving session featured a total of 128 meticulously selected lots, covering a diverse range from ancient jade to contemporary jade carving masterpieces. Among them, the undisputed highlight was the “White Jade Carving of Immortal Mountain and Pavilion Landscape” from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. This mountain carving, with its warm jade quality and exquisite craftsmanship, was finally hammered at a high price of RMB 38 million, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of RMB 25 million, achieving a premium rate of 52%. Another highly anticipated lot was contemporary jade carving master Wu Jinxing’s “Biyu Carving 'Pine Wind Elegant Rhyme' Ornament,” which sold for RMB 12.5 million, an increase of approximately 15% compared to similar works in his 2023 autumn auction, demonstrating the steady appreciation potential of contemporary masterworks.
From the data perspective, the average transaction price per lot in this jade carving session reached RMB 1.445 million, an increase of approximately 22% compared to the same period last year. All high-value lots estimated above RMB 5 million were sold, and nearly 30% of the lots sold for more than 10% above their highest estimates, fully reflecting collectors' pursuit of rarity and artistic value. Lots in the mid-to-low price range also performed well, maintaining a sell-through rate above 90%, indicating broad market demand.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of Beijing Council International’s jade carving session is not accidental. It reflects the return of confidence among high-net-worth collectors in traditional cultural artworks, especially jade carvings with their value-preserving and appreciating attributes, against the backdrop of a gradually stabilizing macro-economy. At the same time, market awareness and demand for jade carvings with superior jade quality, craftsmanship, subject matter, and traceable provenance are continuously increasing.”
Ms. Wang Fang, a jade market analyst, also stated: “In recent years, with the rise of 'Guochao' (China Chic) culture and the increasing interest of younger generations of collectors in traditional art, the collector base for jade carving artworks is expanding. In this auction, some contemporary jade carving works with novel designs and integrated modern aesthetic elements also achieved good results, pointing the way for the future development of the jade carving market – while adhering to traditional craftsmanship, it is also necessary to focus on innovation and the integration of contemporary sensibilities.”
Looking ahead, the industry generally believes that the jade carving art market will continue to maintain a steady growth trend. Rare materials, masterworks, and jade carvings with historical and cultural value will continue to be highly sought after. Meanwhile, with increased information transparency and the popularization of professional connoisseurship knowledge, collectors will invest more rationally. It is expected that the price of exquisite jade carvings will still have room for a 10%-15% increase in the next 1-2 years, while the value of ordinary jade carvings will remain stable, and the overall market will present a healthy and orderly development pattern. The outstanding performance of Beijing Council International’s spring auction has undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the entire jade carving art market.