【Beijing, November 15, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction recently concluded successfully, with the 'Resonance of Jade and Gold – Important Jade and Jewelry' special session performing particularly well. As the highlight of this auction, a series of exquisite Hetian jade carvings were highly sought after by collectors, with both transaction volume and sell-through rate reaching new highs in recent years, once again confirming the strong vitality of the high-end Hetian jade market.
This autumn auction featured a total of 120 Hetian jade carving lots, with 108 ultimately sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 90%. The total transaction value reached RMB 285 million, an 18.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Among them, a highly anticipated 'White Jade Carving of Immortal Mountains and Pavilions' from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty was hammered at RMB 48 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of RMB 30-35 million, becoming the highest-priced lot in this special session. The jade of this carving is warm and delicate, with exquisite craftsmanship, vividly depicting the artistic conception of immortal mountains and pavilions, leading to fierce bidding among collectors present.
Another 'Celadon Jade Carving of Hermit under Pine Trees' from the mid-Qing Dynasty also sold for a high price of RMB 22 million, an increase of 120% over its low estimate. In addition, several works by contemporary jade carving masters also performed well, such as a 'Biyu Carving of Lotus Pond' by a contemporary jade carving master, which sold for RMB 8.5 million, indicating that the collection value and market recognition of contemporary fine jade carvings are steadily increasing.
Market Analysis and Trend Judgment:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry journalist and jade market analyst, pointed out: "The excellent performance of Hetian jade carvings at this Guardian autumn auction is not accidental. In recent years, with the continuous development of China's economy and the strengthening of cultural confidence, the high-end art market, especially Hetian jade with its profound cultural heritage, has increasingly highlighted its collection value and investment attributes. Collectors' awareness of fine Hetian jade is constantly improving, and their requirements for jade quality, craftsmanship, and cultural connotation are also becoming higher. We observe that the market shows sustained strong demand for ancient Hetian jade carvings with clear provenance, orderly circulation, superior jade quality, and exquisite craftsmanship, as well as works by contemporary jade carving masters with innovative spirit and superb skills."
Mr. Li Ming further analyzed: "From the transaction data, Hetian jade carvings from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and earlier, which were imperial court artifacts or from famous collections, due to their scarcity, historical value, and artistic value, have always been hard currency in the market, with stable price performance and repeated record highs. At the same time, exquisite works by contemporary jade carving masters are gradually becoming new favorites in the market, and their price appreciation potential should not be underestimated. In the next few years, we expect the Hetian jade market to continue to maintain a steady growth trend, especially high-end fine products that combine artistry, cultural significance, and scarcity, whose value will continue to be discovered and recognized by the market."
Expert Commentary:
Professor Wang, Vice President of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China and a renowned jade appraisal expert, stated: "The results of this auction once again prove the unique charm and market value of Hetian jade as a treasure of traditional Chinese culture. The successful sale of the 'White Jade Carving of Immortal Mountains and Pavilions' is not only a reflection of its artistic value but also the market's pursuit of top-tier Hetian jade cultural symbols. I believe that under the current global economic situation, Hetian jade, due to its scarcity and value preservation and appreciation attributes, has become an important asset allocation choice. However, collectors still need to be discerning when investing, focusing on jade quality, craftsmanship, age, and cultural connotation, avoiding blind following, to ensure the quality and value of their collection."
The outstanding performance of Hetian jade carvings at this China Guardian autumn auction undoubtedly injected new vitality and confidence into the entire jade market, signaling that the high-end Hetian jade collection craze will continue to heat up.