BEIJING, May 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully today in Beijing. Against a backdrop of challenging macroeconomic conditions, this spring sale, with master jade carvings as its core highlight, successfully boosted market confidence and demonstrated the resilience of the high-end art market. The total transaction value reached RMB 1.85 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82%. The jade ware specialist sale, in particular, performed exceptionally well, exceeding RMB 350 million in sales, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year, which is highly encouraging.
The spotlight of this spring auction was undoubtedly on the “Condensing Green Brilliance – Masterpieces by Contemporary Chinese Jade Carving Masters” specialist sale. This session presented 120 exquisite jade carving works, with 108 pieces successfully sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 90%, far exceeding market expectations. Among them, the 'Cloud Dragon Playing with a Pearl' Hetian jade ornament, created by contemporary jade carving master Wang Mou, became the highest-priced lot of the entire sale due to its superb craftsmanship, superior jade quality, and unique artistic conception, finally hammering at RMB 38 million, 25% higher than its estimate. Another white jade mountain carving titled 'Seeking Wisdom Under the Pine Trees' by Master Li Mou also fetched a high price of RMB 22 million, with a premium rate of 18%. These high-value transactions not only highlight the rarity and artistic value of master jade carvings but also reflect collectors' continuous pursuit of top-tier jade artifacts.
Mr. Wang, General Manager of Poly Auction's Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy & Antiques Department, stated in an interview: “The results of this spring auction are exhilarating, especially the performance of the jade ware specialist sale, which exceeded our expectations. This indicates that even during a market adjustment period, collectors maintain a strong willingness to purchase genuine masterpieces with artistic value and scarcity. Master-level jade carvings, due to their irreplaceable artistry and cultural connotations, have become important assets to withstand market fluctuations.”
From a market trend perspective, the data from this spring auction sends several positive signals. Firstly, the high-end art market, especially categories with clear cultural heritage and artistic value, still demonstrates strong risk resistance and potential for value preservation and appreciation. Secondly, the collector base is subtly shifting, with a significant increase in acceptance of contemporary master jade carvings among the younger generation of collectors, who place more emphasis on innovation, design, and the artist's personal style. Lastly, with the gradual recovery of the global economy, the art market is expected to experience more stable growth in the coming years.
Professor Zhang, a senior art market analyst, pointed out: “Poly's success in this spring auction has injected a strong boost into the entire art market. The outstanding performance of master jade carvings is not only an affirmation of the artists' exquisite skills but also a rediscovery of the value of traditional Chinese cultural art. In the future, we anticipate a more segmented market, where refined, personalized, and branded artworks will be more favored. At the same time, auction houses will need to pay more attention to the art historical status and cultural added value of the works when selecting lots.”
Despite the overall market still being in an adjustment period, the success of Poly's 2026 Spring Auction, particularly the strong performance of master jade carvings, undoubtedly brings positive signals to the industry. It suggests that, with the guidance of professional institutions and the rational choices of collectors, the art market will continue to develop in a healthy and sustainable direction.