【Beijing, May 28, 2026】China Guardian 2026 Spring Auctions successfully concluded yesterday at the Guardian Art Center in Beijing. The total sales volume of this spring auction reached RMB 2.85 billion, an increase of 13.1% compared to RMB 2.52 billion in the 2025 spring auction, with a sell-through rate of 82.5%. This demonstrates the market's continued pursuit of high-quality artworks and a steady recovery in overall confidence. Among them, several master collection special sessions performed particularly well, becoming the biggest highlight of this auction.
This spring auction featured over 30 special sessions, covering various categories such as Chinese painting and calligraphy, ceramics and miscellaneous items, rare books, oil paintings and sculptures, and jewelry and watches. The most anticipated were “Grand View – Night of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Masterpieces” and “Radiant Jade – Master Collection of Jade Wares Special Session.”
During the “Grand View Night,” Qi Baishi's late masterpiece, 'Twelve Screens of Landscapes,' was hammered at RMB 580 million, with a final transaction price of RMB 667 million including commission, setting a new auction record for Qi Baishi's works and becoming the highest-priced lot of this spring auction. This work attracted global collectors' attention since its preview. Its rarity, artistic value, and well-documented provenance led to a final transaction price far exceeding its pre-sale estimate (RMB 350-450 million), with an increase of 80.5%. In addition, Zhang Daqian's 'Splashed Ink Lotus' sold for RMB 120 million, and Fu Baoshi's 'Night Rain in Bashan' sold for RMB 85 million, both exceeding market expectations, further confirming the robustness of the modern and contemporary Chinese painting and calligraphy sector.
The “Radiant Jade – Master Collection of Jade Wares Special Session” also performed remarkably, with a total sales volume of RMB 320 million and a sell-through rate of 92%. Among them, a white jade carving of 'Peace and Prosperity' from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, formerly owned by the renowned Hong Kong collector Mr. Chen, sold for RMB 48 million, an increase of 37.1% compared to its pre-sale estimate (RMB 25-35 million). Another Qing Dynasty Hetian jade pebble 'Fortune and Longevity' pendant sold for RMB 18 million, demonstrating the scarcity and potential for value appreciation of top-grade Hetian jade pebbles in the market.
Market Analysis and Trend Judgment:
The success of China Guardian's spring auction conveys several key market signals. Firstly, high-quality, scarce artworks remain hard currency in the market. Whether it's Qi Baishi's masterpiece or the imperial jade from the Qianlong period, their ability to transcend market fluctuations and repeatedly achieve excellent results lies in their irreplaceable artistic value and historical significance. Secondly, the endorsement effect of master collections is significant. Master collections with clear and well-documented provenance often add extra historical depth and collection value to the lots, attracting more collectors to bid. Thirdly, overall confidence in the Chinese art market is steadily recovering. Despite ongoing global economic uncertainties, the purchasing power of mainland Chinese buyers remains strong, and their enthusiasm for investing in local cultural and artistic items has not diminished. Furthermore, the rise of a younger generation of collectors has injected new vitality and diversified collection preferences into the market.
Expert Commentary:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, stated: “The outstanding performance of China Guardian's spring auction, especially the success of the master collection sessions, has injected a strong shot in the arm for the entire art market. It indicates that after a period of adjustment, the market is returning to rationality and focusing more on high-quality items. Collectors' judgment of art value is more mature, and they are willing to pay a premium for truly historically, culturally, and artistically valuable collections. In the coming years, we expect the Chinese art market to continue its steady growth, with a focus on boutique strategies and academic curation becoming key to auction house competition.”
Ms. Wang, President of Christie's Asia and an international art market observer, also pointed out: “China Guardian's success is not only a victory for the Chinese art market but also reflects a re-evaluation and growing interest in the value of Oriental art across Asia and even globally. Particularly, traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy and jade, with their profound cultural heritage and exquisite craftsmanship, are attracting increasing attention from international buyers.”
Looking ahead, with the continuous development of China's economy and the enhancement of cultural confidence, the Chinese art market is expected to usher in new prosperity. Auction houses will continue to cultivate niche markets, discover more potential artworks, and attract a wider range of collectors through diversified marketing strategies, jointly promoting the healthy development of the Chinese art market.