Hangzhou, May 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Xiling Yinshe 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction value of this spring auction reached an impressive RMB 285 million, with an 82.5% sell-through rate. Notably, the “Huaiyu Collection · Important Ancient Jade Special Session” performed exceptionally well, achieving a total transaction value of RMB 120 million, accounting for nearly half of the overall sales, once again affirming the continuous strong momentum of the high-end ancient jade market.
The ancient jade session featured a total of 120 lots, with 105 pieces successfully sold, achieving a remarkable 87.5% sell-through rate. Several exquisite ancient jade pieces fetched high prices. The most striking item was a “Neolithic Liangzhu Culture Jade Cong,” which, due to its large size, exquisite patterns, and excellent preservation, garnered intense bidding rounds and was finally hammered at RMB 38 million, significantly exceeding its pre-auction estimate of RMB 25 million, representing a premium rate of 52%. Another piece, a “Warring States Period White Jade Dragon and Phoenix Bi,” sold for RMB 18.5 million, an increase of 32% over its estimate. Additionally, a “Han Dynasty Green Jade Pixiu” fetched RMB 9.5 million, demonstrating the solid position of Han Dynasty jade in the market.
Mr. Wang, General Manager of Xiling Yinshe Auction Co., Ltd., stated in an interview: “The success of the ancient jade sector in this spring auction is not only attributed to the scarcity and artistic value of the lots themselves but also reflects collectors' deep affection for traditional Chinese culture and history. We observe that market demand for ancient jade with clear provenance, pristine condition, and rich cultural connotations remains robust, especially for high-ancient jade, whose value is being increasingly recognized and sought after by more collectors.”
From the data, the average unit price of the ancient jade session reached RMB 1.14 million, an increase of approximately 15% compared to the same period last year. This growth was primarily driven by high-end, exquisite ancient jade, while the mid-to-low-end ancient jade market remained stable. Market analyst Li Ming pointed out: “The current ancient jade market shows a clear polarization trend. On one hand, top-quality ancient jade with significant historical and cultural value continues to rise in price, becoming a focal point for capital pursuit; on the other hand, ancient jade of ordinary quality or with questionable provenance performs relatively flatly. This indicates that collectors are more rational in their investment decisions, focusing more on the artistic value, historical legacy, and authenticity verification of the collections.”
Looking ahead, Li Ming believes that with the steady development of China's economy and the enhancement of cultural confidence, ancient jade, as an important carrier of Chinese civilization, will further unleash its collection value and investment potential. He advises collectors to prioritize learning professional knowledge when entering the market, choose reputable auction houses and experts for consultation, and avoid blind following. Meanwhile, for auction houses, continuously deepening the channels for soliciting lots, strengthening academic research, and promoting culture will be key to maintaining market competitiveness.
The success of this Xiling Yinshe spring auction undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the 2026 art auction market, especially the outstanding performance of the ancient jade sector, heralding a more mature and vibrant era of collecting.