【Beijing, November 20, 2026】Poly Auction's 2026 Autumn Art Auction recently concluded with remarkable success in its Ancient Jade Special, achieving a total transaction value of RMB 185 million and an impressive sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. This achievement not only signals a continued recovery in the ancient jade market but also highlights the strong appeal of exquisite high-ancient jade pieces.
The special session featured 125 lots. The highly anticipated highlight, a “Warring States Period Celadon Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant,” was hammered at RMB 38 million, reaching a final price of RMB 43.7 million with commission, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of RMB 25 million, making it the highest-priced lot of the session. The dragon-shaped pendant, with its warm jade texture, exquisite craftsmanship, and complete form, received high recognition from collectors for its rarity and historical value. Another piece, a “Western Zhou Dynasty Early Period Celadon and White Jade Bird-shaped Huang,” also sold for RMB 15 million, an increase of 25% from its estimate, demonstrating collectors' pursuit of the artistic value of early jade artifacts.
From a data perspective, the average unit price for this ancient jade special reached RMB 1.48 million, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year. All lots estimated above RMB 5 million were sold, with many achieving premium prices, averaging a premium rate of 30%. This indicates strong demand in the high-end market for ancient jade pieces that are both rare and artistic. Mid-range lots, estimated between RMB 1 million and RMB 5 million, also maintained a stable sell-through rate of over 90%. In contrast, while lots estimated below RMB 1 million also had a high sell-through rate, their premium potential was relatively limited.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of Poly's ancient jade special reflects the current art market's return to value investing. Against the backdrop of increasing economic uncertainty, high-ancient jade artifacts with clear historical provenance, exquisite craftsmanship, and excellent condition are becoming preferred assets for collectors. Especially those rare pieces that have appeared in museum-level exhibitions, their market value and risk resistance are even more prominent.”
Professor Wang, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, also stated: “The results of this auction once again confirm the collection value of high-ancient jade. Jade artifacts from the Warring States and Western Zhou periods, with their cultural connotations, historical information, and carving techniques, reached a peak in the history of Chinese jade. As research deepens and appreciation levels improve, the value of such jade will continue to be discovered by the market. At the same time, we also see some exquisite jade pieces from the Ming and Qing dynasties performing well, but overall, high-ancient jade shows significantly higher appreciation and market attention.”
Looking ahead, the ancient jade market is expected to show a trend of polarization. On one hand, top-tier high-ancient jade masterpieces will continue to lead, with prices likely to continue rising, becoming the focus of collectors' pursuit. On the other hand, the mid-to-low-end market will pay more attention to the cultural stories, orderly provenance, and cost-effectiveness of jade. For ordinary collectors, when investing in ancient jade, it is crucial to focus on acquiring professional knowledge and improving authentication skills to avoid blindly following trends. Poly Auction's impressive performance undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the ancient jade market for the 2027 spring auction, signaling the formation of a more active and healthy collecting environment.