【Beijing, May 18, 2026】The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully today. Among them, the “Condensing Green Radiance – Important Bi-Yu Jade Masterpieces” special sale, which attracted significant attention from collectors, performed exceptionally well, achieving a total transaction volume of RMB 128 million and a sell-through rate of 92.5%. This far exceeded market expectations, once again confirming the robust growth momentum of the high-end Bi-Yu jade market.
The special sale featured 52 exquisite Bi-Yu jade lots, ranging from imperial creations of the Qing Dynasty to masterpieces by contemporary jade carving artists. Notably, a 'Bi-Yu Jade Carved Ruisou Pattern Vase with Live Ring Handles' from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty was hammered at an astonishing price of RMB 38 million, nearly 50% above its high estimate, becoming the highest-priced lot of the session. This piece boasts a grand form, warm and delicate jade quality, rich color, and exquisite carving, with the live ring craftsmanship being particularly ingenious. It sparked intense bidding among collectors present, ultimately won by a telephone bidder. Another highly anticipated piece, contemporary jade carving master Ma Xuewu’s 'Bi-Yu Jade Carved 'Mountain and River Clear Sound' Ornament', also sold for RMB 12.5 million, an 18% increase compared to a similar work by the same artist sold in the 2023 Spring Sale, demonstrating the immense appreciation potential of contemporary master jade carvers' works.
Overall, the average price of lots in this Bi-Yu jade special sale reached RMB 2.46 million per piece, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year. All lots estimated above RMB 5 million were sold, and three lots fetched prices exceeding RMB 10 million, fully illustrating the scarcity of top-tier Bi-Yu jade resources and the market's pursuit of high-quality collectibles.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of Poly's Bi-Yu jade special sale is not accidental. In recent years, with changes in the global economic landscape and the enhancement of cultural confidence, the Chinese traditional art market, especially the jade sector, has continued to be favored by high-net-worth individuals. Bi-Yu jade, with its unique warm and understated beauty, and rich historical and cultural heritage, has become another highly sought-after jade category after jadeite. Particularly, exquisite Bi-Yu jade with superior quality, superb craftsmanship, and clear provenance is increasingly demonstrating its investment and collection value.”
Professor Wang, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, also stated: “The results of this auction send a clear signal: the market demand for high-end Bi-Yu jade with true artistic value and scarcity remains strong. When selecting Bi-Yu jade, collectors are increasingly focusing on the origin, color, texture of the jade material, as well as the carving craftsmanship and cultural connotations. In the future, top-grade materials from Xinjiang Manasi Bi-Yu and Russian Bi-Yu, as well as works by renowned masters, will continue to lead market trends, and their prices are expected to rise steadily.”
Looking ahead, industry insiders generally believe that under the backdrop of economic structural transformation and cultural consumption upgrading, the Chinese art market will continue to improve. Bi-Yu jade, as an important carrier of traditional Chinese culture, still has further market potential to be explored. Poly Auction's outstanding performance in this spring sale undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the entire jade market, foreshadowing an even more brilliant chapter for the high-end Bi-Yu jade market.