Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction: Jade Carving Art Market Continues to Heat Up, Masterpieces Achieve Remarkable Results

Beijing, May 20, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction recently concluded with great success. As a highlight of this auction, the jade carving art specialized session performed exceptionally well, not only setting a new record for total sales but also seeing several exquisite pieces fetch prices far exceeding their estimates, fully demonstrating the strong momentum of the current jade carving art market and collectors' pursuit of high-quality works. The jade carving art session featured a total of 120 lots, with 108 pieces successfully sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 90%. The total sales reached RMB 185 million, an 18.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Among them, a white jade 'Fu Shou Shuang Quan' ruyi carved during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty was hammered down at an astonishing price of RMB 28 million, far surpassing its estimate of RMB 15 million, becoming the 'top lot' of this auction. Another contemporary jade carving master Wu Desheng's Hetian jade seed material 'Guanyin Statue' also sold for RMB 12 million, with a premium rate of 50%. In addition, several small handheld pieces and scholar's objects from the Ming and Qing dynasties also performed well, with an average premium rate exceeding 30%. **Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:** The success of this Council International spring auction further confirms our judgment that the jade carving art market continues to improve. Firstly, high-quality, rare ancient jade and master-level contemporary jade carving works remain the core drivers of the market. Collectors' demands for material, craftsmanship, and cultural connotations are increasingly high, which allows jade carving works with unique historical value, exquisite carving skills, and good provenance to gain higher recognition and premium. Secondly, the contemporary jade carving market is gradually maturing, and the works of a group of contemporary jade carving artists with distinct personal styles and innovative spirits are increasingly attracting attention. Their works not only make breakthroughs in artistic expression but also embody the integration of tradition and modernity, attracting the attention of a younger generation of collectors. From a macroeconomic perspective, against the backdrop of increasing global economic uncertainty, art as an asset allocation with potential for value preservation and appreciation is becoming increasingly attractive. Jade carving art, especially Hetian jade, due to its rarity and profound cultural heritage, is regarded as a hard currency and has become an important component of asset allocation for many high-net-worth individuals. In addition, with the enhancement of domestic cultural confidence and the revival of traditional culture, the collection group of jade carving art is continuously expanding, and market demand remains strong. **Expert Commentary:** Professor Li Ming, a renowned jade connoisseur and Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, stated in an interview: "The outstanding performance of this Beijing Council International spring auction, especially the high prices fetched by Qing Dynasty imperial jade and contemporary masterworks, fully demonstrates the strong market demand for exquisite jade carvings. In the future, we expect the jade carving market to show a two-tiered differentiation: top-tier ancient jade and master-level contemporary jade carving works will continue to maintain strong growth momentum, while ordinary quality works lacking distinctive features or with unknown provenance may face greater market pressure. Collectors should pay more attention to the artistic value, rarity, clear provenance, and the artist's reputation when investing." Mr. Zhang Hua, head of the jade department at Council International Auction House, also pointed out: "We see more and more young collectors beginning to pay attention to jade carving art. They not only value the investment potential of the works but also their cultural connotations and artistic aesthetics. In the future, we will continue to deeply cultivate the jade carving market, discover more promising artists and works, and strive to promote jade carving culture, providing collectors with better services and a richer selection." Overall, the successful holding of the Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction has injected new vitality and confidence into the jade carving art market. In the foreseeable future, the jade carving art market will continue to maintain steady growth, and works that combine high quality, rarity, and artistry will continue to be a hot spot in the market.