【Hong Kong, May 15, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Spring Sale 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of $280 million, once again affirming the strong vitality of the Asian art market. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Chinese Archaic Jades and Works of Art' specialist sale performed exceptionally well, with a total sale value of $65 million and an impressive sell-through rate of 92%, significantly exceeding market expectations. The highlight of this auction was undoubtedly several rare Hetian jade carvings, whose high premium sales once again pushed the Hetian jade market to a new peak.
The star lot of this auction, a 'White Hetian Jade 'Auspicious Beast' Carving from the Qianlong Period, Qing Dynasty', fetched an astonishing $12.5 million, far surpassing its estimate of $5 million, with a premium rate of 150%. This carving boasts warm and delicate jade quality and exquisite craftsmanship, with a vivid and lifelike auspicious beast, fully demonstrating the pinnacle of Qing Dynasty jade carving techniques. Another 'Yellow Hetian Jade 'Immortal Guiding the Way' Carving from the Mid-Qing Dynasty' also sold for a high price of $8.8 million, an increase of 151.4% from its estimate of $3.5 million. Overall, the average transaction price of Hetian jade carvings in this auction increased by approximately 25% compared to the same period last year, indicating collectors' continued pursuit of high-quality Hetian jade.
Mr. Francis Curiel, President of Christie's Asia and International Chief Executive Officer, stated after the auction: "The success of the 2026 Spring Sale, especially the outstanding performance of the Chinese Archaic Jades specialist sale, once again proves the passion and strength of Asian collectors for cultural and artistic treasures. Hetian jade, as a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, its unique artistic value and scarcity have always given it an important position in the market. The high-priced sales of multiple Hetian jade carvings not only reflect their inherent artistic value but also demonstrate the market's strong demand for rare and exquisite Hetian jade."
Professor Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: "From the data of this Christie's Spring Sale, the Hetian jade market shows a clear polarization trend. On the one hand, top-quality, well-provenanced exquisite Hetian jade, especially seed jade carvings from the Qing and Republic periods, have seen astonishing price increases, repeatedly setting new records. These pieces not only have collection value but also carry profound cultural heritage and historical value, considered as hard currency. On the other hand, while the mid-to-low-end Hetian jade market also has a certain trading volume, price performance is relatively stable, with some common items even experiencing stagnation. This indicates that collectors are increasingly focusing on quality, rarity, and artistry when investing in Hetian jade, rather than blindly pursuing it."
Looking ahead, Professor Li Ming predicted: "With the gradual recovery of the global economy and the continuous growth of wealth in Asia, the investment value of high-quality Hetian jade will be further highlighted. Especially antique Hetian jade carvings with superior jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious themes, their scarcity will make them an excellent choice for value preservation and appreciation. However, the market also needs to be wary of some merchants selling inferior goods as superior and speculative hype. For collectors, improving their connoisseurship and choosing reputable auction houses and channels is crucial. It is expected that the price of top-tier Hetian jade will continue to rise steadily in the next two years, with an annual compound growth rate expected to reach 10%-15%."
The success of this Christie's Spring Sale has undoubtedly injected a strong shot in the arm for the global art market and once again solidified Hetian jade's unshakeable position in the collecting world.