【Beijing, November 15, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the 'Auspicious Metal and Precious Stone – Important High-Ancient Jade Specialist Sale' performing exceptionally well. The total transaction value reached an impressive RMB 185 million, with a sell-through rate of 92.3%, far exceeding market expectations. The success of this auction not only injected a strong boost into the long-sluggish art market but also signaled a robust recovery in the high-ancient jade sector.
This sale presented a total of 85 pieces (sets) of exquisite high-ancient jade, covering important periods such as Hongshan Culture, Liangzhu Culture, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and Warring States to Han Dynasties. Among them, a 'Hongshan Culture Jade Pig Dragon' hammered at an astonishing RMB 38 million, with a final transaction price of RMB 43.7 million including commission, representing a premium of 74.8% over its lowest estimate of RMB 25 million, making it the highest-priced lot of the sale. Another 'Warring States Period White Jade Grain Disc' also performed remarkably, starting at RMB 22 million and, after multiple rounds of intense bidding, finally sold for RMB 31.5 million, with a premium rate of 43.2%. In addition, several Liangzhu Culture jade cong, Shang Dynasty jade ge, and other pieces were all sold at prices 10%-30% above their estimates, demonstrating strong market demand for high-quality high-ancient jade.
Mr. Wang, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and General Manager of the Jade and Crafts Department, stated in an interview: “The excellent performance of this high-ancient jade specialist sale is the result of multiple factors. On the one hand, market demand for top-tier high-ancient jade with clear provenance, excellent condition, and profound cultural connotations remains strong. On the other hand, after several years of market adjustment, the collector base has become more rational, focusing more on the historical and artistic value of collectibles. The success of this auction will undoubtedly boost confidence across the entire high-ancient jade sector.”
From the data, the average premium rate for the high-ancient jade specialist sale in this autumn auction reached 28.5%, a significant increase from 15% in the spring auction's similar sale. This indicates that, against the backdrop of increasing global economic uncertainty, high-ancient jade, as a hard asset combining historical, cultural, and investment attributes, is increasingly prominent in its role as a hedge against risk and a store of value, attracting more high-net-worth collectors.
Professor Li, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The high-ancient jade market has long been constrained by difficulties in authentication and liquidity issues. However, with the deepening of professional research and the popularization of market education, its value is gradually being re-recognized. The success of this Guardian autumn auction, especially the strong performance of exquisite jade from the Hongshan Culture and Warring States to Han Dynasties, suggests that high-ancient jade will become an important growth point in the art market in the coming years. However, he also reminded collectors that investing in high-ancient jade still requires caution, emphasizing the importance of choosing exquisite pieces with clear provenance and expert authentication, and avoiding blind following of trends.”
Looking ahead, with the resurgence of traditional Chinese culture and the younger demographic trend among collectors, the high-ancient jade market is expected to usher in a new round of prosperity. It is anticipated that prices for top-tier high-ancient jade will continue to rise steadily within the next two years, while prices for mid-to-low-end common pieces may diverge, placing higher demands on collectors' connoisseurship and selection strategies.