BEIJING, May 28, 2026 – China Guardian's 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated “Treasures of Jade and Bronze – Ancient Jadeware” special sale delivering particularly impressive results. The total sales volume reached RMB 285 million, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92.3%. This once again affirmed the strong resilience and collecting enthusiasm in the high-end ancient jade market. The special sale featured 128 lots, of which 118 found new owners, with several exquisite pieces setting new records for similar artifacts.
The undisputed highlight of this special sale was the “Western Han White Jade Bi Disc with Dragon and Phoenix Motif,” which fetched a staggering RMB 82 million, a 36.7% premium over its internal estimate (approximately RMB 60 million), making it the top lot of this spring auction. This jade bi disc, with its exquisite craftsmanship and perfect condition, boasts extremely high historical and artistic value, sparking intense bidding among on-site buyers and online participants. Another highly anticipated piece, the “Qing Dynasty Qianlong Period Jade Carving of a Landscape and Figures Screen,” also sold for RMB 35 million, exceeding its upper estimate (RMB 25 million) by 40%, demonstrating the sustained strong market demand for imperial jade from the Qianlong era.
Overall, the average price per lot in this ancient jade special sale reached RMB 2.415 million, a significant increase of 30.5% compared to the average price of similar lots in the 2025 Autumn Auction (RMB 1.85 million). The sell-through rate for high-value lots was particularly outstanding, with all lots estimated over RMB 10 million finding buyers, indicating the strong recognition of rare masterpieces by top collectors.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of this Guardian Spring Auction's ancient jade special sale is not merely an accidental performance of a few high-priced lots, but a significant recovery of overall market confidence. We observe that buyers show extremely strong purchasing intent for ancient jade with clear provenance, perfect condition, and profound cultural connotations, especially high-ancient jade and imperial jade. This indicates that after several years of market adjustments, high-end collectors have a deeper understanding of art investment's safe-haven properties and long-term appreciation potential.”
Ms. Wang Li, Head of China Guardian's Jade Department, stated in an interview: “We are very pleased with the results of this special sale. The consignment process was rigorous, focusing on academic value and rarity, with many pieces appearing on the auction market for the first time. The successful sale of several high-ancient jade pieces, in particular, reflects the market's re-evaluation and affirmation of the artistic value of early jadeware. In the future, we will continue to delve into the ancient jade market, bringing more museum-quality treasures to collectors.”
Regarding market trends, experts generally believe that the ancient jade market is gradually emerging from its trough and entering a steady upward channel. High-ancient jade (Han Dynasty and earlier) and Ming and Qing imperial jade will continue to be market hotspots, with their scarcity and cultural value determining their resilience against downturns. At the same time, some regional jadeware with unique artistic styles and historical backgrounds, such as jade from the Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, are also beginning to attract more attention. However, for ordinary collectors, investing in ancient jade still requires caution. It is advisable to choose pieces with authoritative appraisal certificates, complete condition, and reliable provenance, and to focus on their cultural connotations and artistic value, rather than blindly chasing high prices.
Looking ahead, with China's continuous economic development and the enhancement of cultural confidence, ancient jade, as an important carrier of Chinese civilization, will further highlight its collection value and investment potential. It is expected that in the next few auction seasons, the high-end ancient jade market will remain active and new transaction records are likely to emerge.