【Beijing, May 20, 2026】China Guardian’s 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated Ancient Jade special session performing exceptionally well. The total transaction value reached RMB 185 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. This achievement not only highlights the strong collecting demand for ancient jade but also signals a continued rebound in overall art market confidence.
The Ancient Jade special session featured a total of 125 exquisite pieces, with several high-ancient jade artifacts and Ming and Qing dynasty imperial jades attracting intense bidding. Most notably, a “Western Han White Jade Chi Dragon Bi Disc” hammered for RMB 38 million, with a final transaction price of RMB 43.7 million including commission, far surpassing its estimated price of RMB 18 million, representing an impressive increase of 142.8%. Another piece, a “Qianlong Emperor’s White Jade Carved 'Fu Shou Shuang Quan' Washer from the Qing Dynasty,” also sold for RMB 15.8 million, an increase of 65.3% over its estimate. Overall, the average transaction price per lot in this session reached RMB 1.48 million, a 25% increase compared to the same period last year.
Mr. Zhang, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and General Manager of the Jade and Crafts Department, stated: “The outstanding performance of this Ancient Jade special session, particularly the strong momentum of high-ancient jade and imperial jade, fully demonstrates the market’s high enthusiasm for rare, well-preserved, and well-provenanced ancient jade. Collectors’ understanding of art value is maturing, and they are increasingly inclined to invest in exquisite pieces with historical and cultural value and scarcity.”
Professor Li, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The success of the Ancient Jade section in this Guardian Spring Auction can be interpreted from several aspects. Firstly, with the gradual global economic recovery, investment demand from high-net-worth individuals has rebounded, and the safe-haven attribute of art as a hard asset has once again become prominent. Secondly, in recent years, the nation’s increasing emphasis on traditional culture has driven public awareness and interest in ancient art, especially categories like jade that carry profound Chinese cultural heritage. Furthermore, the auction house’s professionalism in consignment, authentication, and promotion is also crucial, providing confidence to collectors.”
From the specific data, in this spring auction, ancient jade pieces with long histories and complete preservation, such as Hongshan Culture, Liangzhu Culture jade, and Han Dynasty jade, generally sold for prices higher than their estimates, indicating the market’s pursuit of these scarce resources. Ming and Qing imperial jades, with their exquisite craftsmanship and royal background, remain strong commodities in the market, with stable transaction prices. In contrast, some late Qing Dynasty jade pieces with common themes or average condition, although sold, had relatively limited increases, indicating that the market for jade collection has become more rational, focusing more on a精品 (boutique/high-quality) strategy.
Looking ahead, Professor Li predicts: “The ancient jade market will continue to show a polarized trend. Top-tier, exquisite jade pieces with historical, cultural, and artistic aesthetic value will still have room for price appreciation, possibly even setting new records. The prices of ordinary jade will remain relatively stable, or even face some adjustment pressure. For collectors, in-depth research, careful selection, and emphasis on provenance and condition will be key to success. At the same time, with technological advancements, future jade authentication techniques will become more precise, helping to enhance market transparency and collector confidence.”
The success of the Ancient Jade special session at this China Guardian Spring Auction has undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the entire art market, signaling that driven by economic recovery and cultural confidence, the Chinese art market is expected to usher in a more prosperous period.