Beijing, May 20, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly Auction 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully today, with the 'Congealed Verdure, Flowing Radiance – High-End Bi Yu Jade Masterpieces' special session performing exceptionally well. The total transaction value reached an impressive RMB 185 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92%, significantly exceeding market expectations and injecting a strong dose of confidence into the currently somewhat subdued art market.
This Bi Yu jade session featured 120 meticulously selected lots, encompassing Qing Dynasty imperial Bi Yu jade artifacts, master carvings from the Republic of China era, and innovative works by contemporary jade carving masters. Among them, a 'Bi Yu Jade Carved Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl Patterned Vase with Live Ring Handles' from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty fetched the highest price at RMB 38 million, an impressive 26.67% premium over its estimated price range of RMB 25 million to RMB 30 million. Another piece, a 'Bi Yu Jade Carved Landscape and Figures Ornament' by contemporary jade carving master Wang, was hammered at RMB 12 million, representing a 20% increase from its estimate of RMB 8 million to RMB 10 million, demonstrating the strong market potential of contemporary exquisite jade carvings.
From the data, this Bi Yu jade session not only achieved a gratifying total transaction value, but high-priced lots also performed exceptionally well. Eight lots exceeded RMB 5 million, accounting for 6.67% of the total lots; 35 lots ranged from RMB 1 million to RMB 5 million, accounting for 29.17%. The average transaction price per lot reached RMB 1.5417 million, an increase of approximately 15% compared to the average transaction price of last year's Bi Yu jade session. This series of data indicates that the high-end Bi Yu jade market is experiencing a significant rebound.
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:
The success of this Poly Spring Sale's Bi Yu jade session is not accidental. Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: "In recent years, affected by the global economic situation and adjustments in the art market, the jade sector has performed steadily overall, but the value resilience of high-end exquisite pieces and scarce resources has always existed. The strong performance of this Bi Yu jade session first benefits from the excellent quality and scarcity of the lots themselves. Qing Dynasty imperial Bi Yu jade artifacts, due to their historical and cultural value and exquisite craftsmanship, have always been the focus of collectors. And the exquisite works of contemporary jade carving masters represent the innovation and inheritance of jade carving art, and their artistic value is gradually being recognized by the market."
Mr. Li Ming further analyzed: "Secondly, the market's demand for safe-haven assets is also increasing. In an economic environment with high uncertainty, art pieces with stable value preservation and appreciation potential, especially jade, which combines cultural attributes and scarcity as a hard currency, are more likely to be favored by high-net-worth collectors. In addition, Poly Auction's brand appeal and precise customer positioning also laid the foundation for the success of this session."
Looking ahead, the high-end Bi Yu jade market is expected to continue its steady growth. With the revival of Chinese traditional culture and the younger demographic of collectors, the demand for jade art pieces that possess both aesthetic and investment value will remain strong. However, the market will also pay more attention to the clarity of the origin of the lots, the exquisiteness of the craftsmanship, and the reputation of the artists. Ordinary quality jade may still face some adjustment pressure, while truly collectible exquisite pieces will continue to be sought after, and their prices are expected to climb further.
Expert Commentary:
Professor Zhang Hua, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, stated: "The performance of this Poly Bi Yu jade session is inspiring. It not only reflects the market's deep recognition of the value of Bi Yu jade but also signals a structural upgrade in the jade collection market. Collectors are no longer blindly pursuing quantity but are paying more attention to quality, cultural connotation, and artistic value. This has a positive guiding role for the healthy development of the entire jade industry. At the same time, the outstanding performance of contemporary jade carving masters' works also provides great creative motivation and market confidence for the younger generation of jade carving artists."
Overall, the success of Poly Auction's 2026 Spring Sale's high-end Bi Yu jade session undoubtedly injected strong confidence into the current art market and provided an important reference for the future direction of the jade collection market.