China Guardian 2026 Autumn Auction: Archaic Jades Lead the Way, Significant Market Rebound Evident

【Beijing, November 15, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction recently concluded successfully, with the 'Jijin Jiayu - Archaic Jades' special session performing exceptionally well. The total transaction value reached RMB 185 million, with an impressive sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. The success of this auction not only highlights the unique charm of archaic jades in the art market but also injects a strong boost into the currently somewhat subdued art market. This special session presented a total of 120 exquisite archaic jade pieces, covering various historical periods such as Hongshan Culture, Liangzhu Culture, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and Han Dynasty. Among them, a 'Hongshan Culture Jade Pig-Dragon' was hammered at an astonishing price of RMB 38 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate (RMB 20-25 million), with a premium rate of 52%, becoming the highest-priced lot of the session. Another 'Western Han White Jade Chi-Dragon Bi Disc' also performed well, finally selling for RMB 22 million, a 46.6% increase compared to its estimate of RMB 15 million. In addition, several jade ge (dagger-axes) and jade cong (cylinders) from the Shang and Zhou Dynasties also sold for 20%-40% above their estimates, demonstrating the market's strong demand for rare and well-preserved archaic jades. From the data, the average price per lot in this auction reached RMB 1.5417 million, an increase of 28.47% compared to the archaic jades session in the same period last year (average price per lot RMB 1.2 million). The high sell-through rate and significant premium rates indicate that collectors' confidence in archaic jades is gradually recovering, and they are willing to pay higher prices for exquisite pieces. This is closely related to the gradual stabilization of the global economic situation in recent years and the increasing prominence of art investment as a safe haven asset. Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The performance of the archaic jades session at this China Guardian Autumn Auction is exhilarating. In particular, the transaction price of the Hongshan Culture Jade Pig-Dragon not only set a new auction record for similar items but also signals that the archaic jade market is undergoing a round of revaluation. Collectors have shown a strong willingness to purchase items with complete forms, excellent jade quality, and profound cultural connotations. This reflects a rational return to art collection in the market, meaning a greater emphasis on the historical, artistic, and cultural value of cultural relics." Ms. Wang Li, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and Head of the Jade Department, stated: "We are very pleased with the success of this archaic jades session. This is due to our rigorous selection of lots and professional academic research. As an important carrier of Chinese civilization, the unique historical and artistic value of archaic jades is being recognized and sought after by more and more collectors. In the future, we will continue to deeply cultivate this field and present more exquisite pieces to collectors." Regarding market trends, industry experts generally believe that with the continuous development of China's economy and the strengthening of cultural confidence, the market value of archaic jades, as artworks embodying the essence of traditional Chinese culture, will continue to rise. In the next few years, archaic jades with clear provenance, explicit excavation information, and first-class condition will become the focus of market pursuit. At the same time, with the continuous advancement of scientific identification methods, the reduction of counterfeiting risks will further enhance collectors' investment confidence in archaic jades. However, for ordinary investors, the difficulty of identifying archaic jades is relatively high, and it is recommended to enter the market cautiously under the guidance of professionals.