BEIJING, November 25, 2026 – Poly Auction's 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The 'Treasures Galore: Chinese Jade and Works of Art' special session was particularly outstanding, with high-end Bi Yu jade items becoming the focal point of the season. Transaction data exceeded market expectations, demonstrating sustained collector interest in exquisite jade and a steady recovery in market confidence.
This autumn auction, Poly presented over 200 exquisite jade pieces, with Bi Yu jade accounting for nearly 30%. The highly anticipated star lot, a Qianlong period (Qing Dynasty) 'Bi Yu Jade Carved Beast and Ring-Handle Censer with Lid,' was hammered at an astonishing 38 million RMB, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of 25 million RMB, representing a premium rate of 52%. Another equally striking piece, a 'Bi Yu Jade Carved Landscape and Figures Ornament,' sold for 15.5 million RMB, a 55% increase from its 10 million RMB estimate. Overall, the Bi Yu jade session achieved a remarkable 88% sell-through rate, with a total turnover of 180 million RMB, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year, indicating a strong recovery trend in the high-end Bi Yu jade market.
From the data, the average price per lot in this auction reached 900,000 RMB, with 5 Bi Yu jade lots exceeding 5 million RMB and 2 exceeding 10 million RMB. These high-priced Bi Yu jade pieces generally shared the following characteristics: superior material, fine and warm jade quality, uniform and deep color; exquisite craftsmanship, smooth carving lines, elegant and grand styling; and clear provenance, often with records of famous collectors or publications. These factors collectively formed the basis for their high premiums.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The excellent performance of the Bi Yu jade section in this Poly autumn auction is not accidental. Against the backdrop of increasing global economic uncertainty, high-quality, rare artworks, especially traditional Chinese jade with profound cultural heritage and potential for value preservation and appreciation, are becoming an important choice for capital hedging and asset allocation. Bi Yu jade, with its unique color and warm texture, has always enjoyed stable demand in the high-end market. The results of this auction further validate the market's recognition of the value of exquisite Bi Yu jade.”
Ms. Wang Li, Head of Chinese Jade Department at Poly Auction, also stated: “We are very pleased with the results of this Bi Yu jade session. This not only reflects our team's efforts in consignment and market promotion, but more importantly, it sends a positive signal: the collecting market is gradually returning to rationality, and collectors are paying more attention to the artistic value, historical value, and rarity of the lots. In the future, we believe the high-end Bi Yu jade market will continue to maintain steady growth, especially for heirloom pieces with clear provenance, exquisite craftsmanship, and perfect condition, whose value will continue to be recognized and sought after by the market.”
Looking ahead, with the gradual recovery of the global economy and the continuous rise of traditional Chinese culture, the high-end Bi Yu jade market is expected to usher in broader development space. While focusing on material and craftsmanship, collectors will also pay more attention to the cultural connotations and historical stories of the works, which will drive the market towards a more refined and specialized direction. The success of this Poly autumn auction undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the 2027 art market.