【Beijing, November 20, 2026】The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction value of this autumn sale reached RMB 1.52 billion, with a high sell-through rate of 82%, demonstrating strong market demand for exquisite artworks, especially in the high-end jade sector. Among them, high-end Bi Yu jade stood out as the focus of this auction, with multiple significant lots selling for prices far exceeding their estimates, becoming an important indicator of recovering market confidence.
This autumn sale featured 12 special sessions, covering various categories including Chinese painting and calligraphy, antique curios, jewelry and jadeite, and modern and contemporary art. Among the numerous lots, the high-end Bi Yu jade session was undoubtedly the biggest highlight. According to Poly Auction's official data, a total of 87 high-end Bi Yu jade lots were offered in this autumn sale, with 72 sold, achieving a sell-through rate of 82.76% and a total transaction value of RMB 380 million, representing a 15% increase compared to the spring sale's similar session.
Among them, a Hetian Bi Yu jade carving titled “Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl” in 'Imperial Green' color, with its massive size, delicate texture, and exquisite craftsmanship, became the focal point of the entire auction. The lot started at RMB 28 million and, after nearly 30 rounds of intense bidding, finally hammered at RMB 58 million, an astonishing premium rate of 107%, setting a new record for a single Bi Yu jade item in recent years. Another Qing Dynasty Qianlong period Bi Yu jade carved 'Fu Shou Shuang Quan' (Blessings and Longevity) covered vase sold for RMB 12 million, far exceeding its estimate of RMB 6 million, a 100% increase. In addition, several exquisite Bi Yu jade pieces by contemporary jade carving masters also performed well, with selling prices generally more than 30% above their estimates.
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:
The strong performance of high-end Bi Yu jade in this Poly autumn sale conveys several key market signals.
Firstly, scarcity and high quality remain the core drivers of market growth. The transaction price of the 'Imperial Green' Bi Yu jade ornament fully demonstrates that, against the backdrop of increased economic uncertainty, artworks with top-tier materials, exquisite craftsmanship, and profound cultural connotations are increasingly highlighting their value preservation and appreciation attributes, becoming a priority choice for asset allocation among high-net-worth individuals.
Secondly, collectors' awareness and acceptance of Bi Yu jade continue to rise. In the past, jadeite and white jade dominated the market, but in recent years, with the increasing scarcity of high-quality Bi Yu jade resources and the innovative development of contemporary jade carving art, Bi Yu jade, with its unique color and warm texture, has won the favor of more and more collectors. The transaction data from this autumn sale indicates that Bi Yu jade is no longer a niche collection but is gradually becoming an important component of the jade collection market.
Thirdly, market confidence is steadily recovering. Despite numerous global economic challenges, the Chinese art market has shown strong resilience. The overall high sell-through rate of this auction and the better-than-expected performance of multiple lots reflect collectors' optimistic expectations for future market prospects and their recognition of the investment value of artworks. Especially in the jade sector, its characteristics of combining artistic, cultural, and investment value make it an ideal choice for hedging against inflation and achieving wealth inheritance.
Expert Commentary:
Professor Li Ming, a renowned jade appraisal expert and Vice President of the Gem & Jewelry Trade Association of China, stated: “The success of the Bi Yu jade section in this Poly autumn sale is a testament to market maturity. High-quality Bi Yu jade resources are increasingly depleted, and their value is being re-evaluated. The 'Imperial Green' Bi Yu jade, which sold for a high price, is not only the pinnacle of material but also a perfect combination of carving art and cultural connotation; its value realization is inevitable. In the future, we expect the market demand for high-end Bi Yu jade to continue to grow, especially for exquisite pieces with clear provenance, master craftsmanship, and unique cultural symbolism, where the appreciation potential remains immense.”
Mr. Zhang Hua, a senior art market analyst, also pointed out: “The data from Poly's autumn sale once again confirms the market rule of 'the strong get stronger.' In the current environment, collectors are more inclined to invest in assets with clear value support and scarcity. As an important category of traditional Chinese jade, Bi Yu jade has profound cultural heritage, coupled with the scarcity of high-quality resources, making it an ideal investment product. We anticipate that within the next three years, the market price of high-end Bi Yu jade will continue to maintain a steady upward trend, with an average annual increase expected to reach 8%-12%.”
In conclusion, the successful conclusion of Poly 2026 Autumn Sale, particularly the outstanding performance of the high-end Bi Yu jade sector, has not only injected new vitality into the art market but also provided clear market signals for collectors and investors. Driven by scarcity, high quality, and market confidence, the future market prospects for high-end Bi Yu jade are highly anticipated.