BEIJING, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated China Guardian 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction volume of this spring auction reached RMB 2.85 billion, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year, with a remarkable transaction rate of 82.5%. This indicates a strong recovery in the art market, especially in the jade sector. Among them, a series of exquisite Hetian jade items performed exceptionally well, becoming the highlight of this auction.
Hetian Jade Masterpieces Set New Records, Market Confidence Significantly Boosted
In this spring auction's "Jade, Jewelry, and Curios" special session, a total of 120 Hetian jade lots were presented, with 108 pieces successfully sold, achieving a high transaction rate of 90%. The total transaction value reached RMB 420 million, a 25% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, a highly anticipated "White Jade Carving of Immortal Mountains and Pavilions" from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty was hammered at RMB 85 million, far exceeding its pre-auction estimate of RMB 50 million, becoming the "King of Jade" in this spring auction. The jade of this mountain carving is warm and delicate, with exquisite craftsmanship, depicting immortal mountains, pavilions, auspicious clouds, and mythical beasts vividly, representing the pinnacle of jade carving art during the Qianlong period. Another piece, a "Hetian Jade Seed Material Auspicious Beast Handle Piece," also sold for a high price of RMB 12 million, with its natural skin color and ingenious design perfectly combined, highly sought after by collectors.
Mr. Li Ming, Head of the Jade Department at China Guardian Auctions, stated: "The excellent performance of this Hetian jade special session fully demonstrates the strong market demand for high-quality, rare Hetian jade. Collectors' understanding of the value of fine jade has matured, and investment enthusiasm continues to rise."
Market Analysis: Refinement and Rarity Become Dominant Trends
Professor Wang Qiang, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out that the outstanding performance of the Hetian jade market in this China Guardian spring auction was not accidental. He analyzed: "The current jade market shows a clear polarization trend. On the one hand, transactions of ordinary quality jade are relatively flat; on the other hand, top-tier Hetian jade with historical and cultural value, rare materials, and exquisite craftsmanship continues to appreciate in value. After experiencing market adjustments in the past few years, collectors are more rational in their selection of jade, preferring to invest in high-quality pieces that can preserve and increase value, or even bring extraordinary returns."
Professor Wang further explained that with the increasing depletion of Hetian jade resources, the scarcity of high-quality seed material and mountain material is becoming more prominent, providing a solid value support for top-tier jade. At the same time, the younger generation of collectors' interest in jade culture is also gradually increasing; they pay more attention to the artistic and cultural connotations of jade, rather than just the material itself.
Expert Commentary and Future Outlook
Mr. Zhang Hua, a renowned collector and jade connoisseur, stated in an interview: "The success of this China Guardian spring auction has injected a shot in the arm for the entire jade market. Especially that Qianlong white jade mountain carving, its historical value, artistic value, and market value have all reached a new height, making it a rare and invaluable treasure. It not only represents the highest level of Qing Dynasty jade carving craftsmanship but also reflects the extreme pursuit of jade culture in society at that time."
Looking ahead, the market generally believes that with the gradual economic recovery and continuous enhancement of cultural confidence, the Chinese art market will continue to improve. As a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, top-tier Hetian jade will continue to be a hot spot for collectors. However, the market also reminds investors to remain rational, pay attention to the authenticity, condition, craftsmanship, and cultural connotations of jade, avoid blindly following trends, and achieve stable investment returns.