【Hong Kong, May 15, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Spring 2026 Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated “Auspicious Metal, Auspicious Jade: Ancient Jade Pendants” specialist sale performing exceptionally well. The total sale achieved HKD 285 million, significantly exceeding its pre-sale estimate of HKD 220 million, with an impressive sell-through rate of 92.5%. This once again confirms the strong collecting demand and investment potential in the high-end ancient jade market.
The specialist sale featured 120 exquisite ancient jade pendants carefully selected from private collections, spanning various historical periods including Hongshan Culture, Liangzhu Culture, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, Han Dynasty, and Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Among them, a “Late Shang Dynasty Celadon Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant” estimated at HKD 35 million to 50 million, hammered at HKD 68 million, reaching a final price of HKD 81.6 million including buyer's premium. This made it the top lot of the sale, with a premium of 63.2% over its high estimate. The pendant's exquisite craftsmanship, warm jade quality, and excellent preservation, coupled with its rarity and historical significance, made it a focal point for collectors. Another “Han Dynasty White Jade Chi Dragon Bi Disc” also sold for a high price of HKD 32 million, a 28% premium over its high estimate. Overall, the average premium rate for this sale reached 25%, demonstrating strong market demand for high-quality ancient jade pendants.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of this Christie's ancient jade pendant specialist sale is not accidental. In recent years, with increasing global economic uncertainties, the art market, especially Chinese ancient artworks with scarcity and cultural attributes, has become an important component of asset allocation for high-net-worth individuals. Ancient jade pendants, as significant carriers of Chinese civilization, hold an irreplaceable position in the collecting market due to their unique historical, cultural, and artistic value. Especially those high-ancient jades with clear provenance, excellent condition, and representative significance, their value is continuously being re-evaluated.”
From the transaction data, early jade artifacts from the Hongshan and Liangzhu cultures performed particularly well, with multiple lots selling for prices far exceeding their estimates, indicating the market's growing appreciation for the research and aesthetic value of prehistoric jade. At the same time, imperial jades from the Han Dynasty and the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties also maintained steady growth, with exquisite pieces bearing clear dates or inscriptions standing out in the competition.
Mr. Jonathan Stone, Chairman of Christie's Asia and International Director of Chinese Art, stated: “We are very pleased with the performance of this ancient jade pendant specialist sale. This not only reflects the global collectors' enthusiasm for Chinese ancient art but also demonstrates Christie's professional ability in selecting and presenting top-tier lots. Looking ahead, we anticipate the ancient jade market will continue to experience steady growth, especially for rare jade artifacts with profound cultural heritage and artistic expression, whose investment value will be further highlighted. We will continue to cultivate this field to bring more exquisite pieces to collectors.”
Looking to the future, the ancient jade pendant market is expected to show the following trends: First, high-quality, rare, and well-provenanced masterpieces will continue to lead the market, with prices continuing to rise; second, with the deepening of academic research and the popularization of market education, the value of prehistoric jade and high-ancient jade will gain more recognition, becoming new growth points; finally, the growing interest of younger generations of collectors in traditional Chinese culture will also inject new vitality into the ancient jade pendant market. However, the market is not without challenges; the existence of fakes and imitations still requires collectors to remain vigilant, and professional authentication and prudent investment decisions are crucial.