【Beijing, November 28, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with a total turnover reaching an impressive RMB 2.85 billion and a sell-through rate of 82.3%, marking a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Treasures of Jade and Bronze – Archaic Jades' special sale performed exceptionally well, with a total turnover exceeding RMB 320 million and a sell-through rate of 91.5%. This became a major highlight of the autumn auction, injecting a strong dose of confidence into the currently somewhat subdued art market.
The Archaic Jades special sale featured 128 lots, encompassing exquisite jade artifacts from the Neolithic period to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Several archaic jade pieces, owing to their rarity and historical significance, sparked fierce bidding among collectors. The leading lot was a 'Western Zhou Dynasty Early Period Celadon Jade Dragon-Patterned Huang,' which boasts a regular shape, warm jade quality, exquisite carving, and archaic, majestic dragon motifs. It was finally hammered at a high price of RMB 68 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate (RMB 35-45 million), with a premium rate of 94.3%. Another 'Late Warring States Period White Jade Grain-Patterned Bi' also performed strongly, selling for RMB 42 million, a 68% increase compared to its estimate of RMB 25-30 million. Additionally, a 'Han Dynasty Yellow Jade Mythical Beast Belt Hook' fetched RMB 18.5 million, also surpassing its estimated range.
From the transaction data, the archaic jade segment of this autumn auction showed a clear polarization trend: high-quality, rare, and well-provenanced archaic jades remained the focus of market pursuit, with firm prices and significant upward potential; while ordinary or questionable jade pieces saw mediocre sales, or even went unsold. This phenomenon reflects the increasing rationality and professionalism of current collectors in art investment, who place greater emphasis on the historical value, cultural connotation, and scarcity of artworks.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The success of this Guardian autumn auction's archaic jade special sale, particularly the outstanding performance of archaic jades, sends a positive signal. Amid increasing global economic uncertainties, top-tier artworks, especially Chinese archaic jades with profound historical heritage and cultural value, are being regarded as an important safe-haven asset. Their scarcity, irreplicability, and unique aesthetic value enable them to demonstrate stronger resilience against market fluctuations."
Professor Wang from Peking University's School of Archaeology and Museology also stated: "Archaic jades, as important carriers of ancient Chinese civilization, have undeniable academic and artistic value. In recent years, with the deepening of academic research and the improvement of public aesthetic appreciation, the intrinsic value of archaic jades is being re-recognized and re-evaluated. The market's pursuit of archaic jades is not only a reflection of wealth but also an affirmation and inheritance of excellent traditional Chinese culture."
Looking ahead, the jade market, especially the archaic jade segment, is expected to maintain steady growth. We believe that within the next five years, the compound annual growth rate for top-tier archaic jades could reach 8%-12%. However, the market will also place higher demands on the authenticity, condition, and provenance of jade pieces. For collectors, in-depth study of jade knowledge and cooperation with reputable auction houses and experts will be key to successful investment. Concurrently, with advancements in scientific authentication methods, the transparency of the future jade market will further improve, helping to purify the market environment and promote healthy development.