Beijing, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. Among the various categories, the 'Glistening Green Radiance – Important Bi Yu Masterpieces' special sale garnered significant attention from collectors, achieving a total transaction value of RMB 185 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92.3%. This once again confirms the sustained strong momentum of the high-end Bi Yu (green jade) market.
The Bi Yu special sale featured 105 meticulously selected lots, ranging from imperial artifacts of the Qing Dynasty to contemporary jade carving masterpieces. Several prominent pieces were sold at prices significantly exceeding their estimates, becoming the focal points of the market. The leading lot, a 'Qing Dynasty Qianlong Period Bi Yu Carved 'Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl' Large Dish,' fetched RMB 38 million, an impressive 52% premium over its estimate of RMB 25 million. This large dish showcases exquisite jade quality, deep color, and superb craftsmanship, with nine dragons soaring through clouds, exuding magnificent grandeur, fully demonstrating the pinnacle of Qing Dynasty imperial jade artistry. Another piece, 'Contemporary Master Cui Lei's 'Sound of Mountains and Rivers' Bi Yu Mountain Sculpture,' sold for RMB 15 million, a 50% increase from its estimate of RMB 10 million, indicating the immense market potential of contemporary jade carving by renowned artists.
Overall, the average premium rate for this Bi Yu special sale reached 35%, a significant increase compared to the average premium rate of 28% for Poly's Bi Yu special sale in the same period last year. This indicates a sustained strong demand for high-quality Bi Yu in the market, with collectors willing to pay higher premiums for exquisite pieces. Notably, Bi Yu lots weighing over 500 grams and possessing spinach green or apple green jade quality achieved a sell-through rate of 98%, with an average premium rate exceeding 45%.
Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:
Li Ming, a seasoned auction industry journalist and jade market analyst, pointed out: “The success of this Poly Spring Sale's Bi Yu special session reconfirms the investment attribute of high-end Bi Yu as a hard currency. Amid increasing global economic uncertainties, Bi Yu, which combines rarity, artistry, and cultural value, has become a preferred choice for capital preservation and appreciation. Especially imperial Bi Yu from the Qing Dynasty and masterpieces by contemporary jade carving artists are continuously seeing their market value rise.”
Li Ming further analyzed: “In the coming years, we anticipate the high-end Bi Yu market to exhibit the following trends: Firstly, scarcity will be the core driving force. The depletion of high-quality Bi Yu raw materials makes existing exquisite pieces increasingly precious. Secondly, the influence of renowned artists will continue to amplify. Representative works by contemporary jade carving masters, due to their unique artistic style and superb craftsmanship, will continue to be sought after by collectors. Thirdly, cultural value and historical heritage will become important added values. Bi Yu artifacts with clear historical backgrounds or cultural connotations will have more prominent collection value and investment potential.”
Expert Commentary:
Professor Wang, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association and a renowned jade appraisal expert, stated in an interview: “The auction results are exhilarating. The transaction price of the 'Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl' dish not only set a new auction record for Qing Dynasty Bi Yu artifacts but also injected a strong boost into the entire Bi Yu market. This reflects the market's high recognition of top-tier Bi Yu with perfect condition, clear provenance, and exquisite craftsmanship. At the same time, the impressive performance of contemporary jade carving masters' works also indicates that the innovation and inheritance of Chinese jade carving art are receiving positive responses from the market. For general collectors, investing in Bi Yu still requires attention to jade quality, craftsmanship, condition, and provenance, and it is crucial to avoid blind speculation.”
In conclusion, the success of Poly's 2026 Spring Sale Bi Yu special session not only instilled confidence in the market but also outlined the future development blueprint for the high-end Bi Yu market: rare masterpieces and works by renowned artists will continue to lead, with their investment value and collecting appeal becoming increasingly prominent.