Beijing, November 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction volume of this autumn auction reached an impressive RMB 1.28 billion, with a transaction rate of 82.5%. Among them, the Hetian Jade Pendants special session performed exceptionally well, becoming one of the biggest highlights of the auction and once again affirming the strong vitality of the high-end jade market.
This autumn auction featured 120 lots in the “Congealed Fat and Warm Luster – Hetian Jade Boutique Session,” with 108 lots successfully sold, achieving a high transaction rate of 90%. The total transaction volume reached RMB 185 million, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year. Notably, a highly anticipated “White Jade Seed Material Chilong Dragon Pendant” from the Qing Dynasty Qianlong period was hammered at an astonishing price of RMB 38 million, far exceeding its pre-auction estimate of RMB 25 million, with a premium rate of 52%. This set a new auction record for Hetian jade pendants of similar themes in recent years. The jade quality of this lot is delicate and warm, with exquisite craftsmanship. The vivid and lifelike Chilong dragon fully demonstrates the pinnacle of Qing Dynasty court jade carving techniques.
Another focal lot, contemporary jade carving master Mr. Wang Jian's “Biyu Jade Skillfully Carved Lotus Pond Serenity Pendant,” sold for RMB 12.5 million, an increase of 56.25% from its estimated price of RMB 8 million. This piece cleverly utilizes the natural color of biyu jade to carve elements such as lotus flowers, lotus pods, and swimming fish, creating a profound artistic conception and reflecting the outstanding achievements of contemporary jade carving art in inheritance and innovation. In addition, many exquisite Hetian jade pendants from the Ming and Qing dynasties and contemporary periods were sold at high prices, with an average premium rate of over 30%, indicating the market's strong pursuit of high-quality Hetian jade pendants.
Market Analysis and Trend Judgment:
The success of the Hetian Jade Pendants special session at this Beijing Council International autumn auction further consolidates the strong position of high-end Hetian jade in the art market. From the transaction data, it can be seen that the market has strong demand for scarce, high-quality, and master-carved Hetian jade pendants, and prices show a steady upward trend. Especially works with clear historical provenance or from contemporary jade carving masters have huge potential for value growth. This reflects that collectors are increasingly focusing on the cultural value, artistic value, and scarcity of jade when investing.
We observe that the aesthetic standards of the market for Hetian jade are developing towards “emphasizing jade quality, craftsmanship, and cultural connotation.” The era of purely pursuing large and heavy materials has gradually faded, replaced by the ultimate pursuit of jade quality, the continuous refinement of carving, and a deep understanding of the cultural meaning behind the works. In addition, with the rise of younger generations of collectors, the works of contemporary jade carving masters are increasingly attracting attention, and their market value is rapidly increasing.
Expert Commentary:
Professor Li Ming, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association and a renowned jade appraisal expert, stated in an interview with reporters: “The performance of Hetian jade pendants at this Council International autumn auction is inspiring. The transaction price of the 'White Jade Seed Material Chilong Dragon Pendant' once again proves the scarcity and irreplaceability of top-grade Hetian jade seed material, whose historical and cultural value, combined with artistic value, constitutes its high market price. At the same time, the outstanding performance of contemporary jade carving works also indicates that the inheritance and innovation of Chinese jade carving art are flourishing with new vitality. In the next few years, we expect the market price of exquisite Hetian jade pendants to maintain steady growth, especially those works that combine historical heritage, exquisite craftsmanship, and unique artistic style will continue to be sought after by collectors.”
Mr. Zhang Hua, Deputy General Manager and Head of the Jade Department at Beijing Council International Auction House, also stated: “We are very satisfied with the performance of this Hetian jade pendants special session. This is not only due to our strict selection and precise positioning of the lots but also reflects the market's full recognition of the cultural and investment value of Hetian jade. We will continue to cultivate the jade market and provide more high-quality and high-value Hetian jade artworks to collectors.”
In summary, the success of the Hetian Jade Pendants special session at the Beijing Council International 2026 autumn auction not only injected strong confidence into the market but also pointed the direction for the future development of the jade market. The trend of refined, artistic, and cultural Hetian jade collection will continue to deepen, and its investment and collection value will be further highlighted.