Beijing, November 25, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council 2026 Autumn Art Auction successfully concluded yesterday. The total transaction volume of this autumn auction reached RMB 1.25 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82.3%, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This indicates a strong recovery trend in the art market, especially in the high-end jadeite sector. Among them, jadeite masterpieces performed exceptionally well, becoming the highlight of this auction.
This auction presented over 2,000 lots, covering various categories such as Chinese paintings and calligraphy, porcelain and miscellaneous items, ancient books and rare editions, modern and contemporary art, and jewelry and watches. Among the many lots, a Qing Dynasty jadeite 'Fu Shou Shuang Quan' (Blessings and Longevity) carving from the 'Ning Cui Xuan' collection was hammered down at an astonishing price of RMB 88 million, becoming the highest-priced lot of this autumn auction. The carving started at RMB 55 million and, after multiple rounds of fierce bidding, was finally acquired by an anonymous telephone bidder, with a premium rate of 60%. Another highly anticipated mid-Qing Dynasty jadeite 'Xiang Long Xian Rui' (Auspicious Dragon Presenting Good Fortune) brush pot also sold for RMB 32 million, significantly exceeding its estimated price of RMB 18 million, an increase of 77.8%. In addition, several high-quality jadeite bracelets, necklaces, and cabochons were all sold at prices 10%-30% above their estimates, demonstrating the market's pursuit of top-tier jadeite.
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:
The success of this Council autumn auction, particularly the outstanding performance of the jadeite sector, sends a positive signal to the current art market. Li Ming, a senior jadeite market analyst, pointed out: “The gradual recovery of the global economy, coupled with the continuous demand from high-net-worth individuals for scarce and value-preserving art, has jointly driven the activity of the high-end jadeite market. Especially for perfectly preserved, exquisitely crafted, and clearly sourced heirloom-grade jadeite, its risk resistance and investment value are becoming increasingly prominent.”
From the data, the average transaction price of jadeite lots in this autumn auction increased by 25% compared to the same period last year, and the sell-through rate remained high at over 90%. This indicates that the market's recognition and acceptance of high-quality jadeite are continuously improving. At the same time, the collector structure also shows a diversified trend, with not only traditional senior collectors but also many emerging young buyers and overseas institutional investors entering the market, injecting new vitality.
Expert Commentary:
Mr. Zhang Hua, Deputy General Manager of Beijing Council Auction House and Head of the Jewelry and Watch Department, stated: “We are very satisfied with the results of this autumn auction, especially the performance of the jadeite sector, which exceeded expectations. This once again confirms the unique charm and investment value of top-tier jadeite as a hard currency. In the future, we expect high-quality, rare jadeite to continue to be a hot spot in the market, and its price is expected to maintain steady growth. At the same time, we have also observed that collectors have higher requirements for the cultural connotation, historical heritage, and design aesthetics of jadeite, which prompts us to pay more attention to these dimensions when soliciting lots in the future.”
Ms. Wang Li, Vice President of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, also emphasized: “In the current complex economic environment, art investment is becoming an important part of asset allocation. Jadeite, as a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, its scarcity and non-renewability determine its long-term value. However, we also remind collectors that investing in jadeite requires professional appreciation knowledge and choosing reputable auction houses and channels to avoid potential risks.”
In summary, the success of the Beijing Council 2026 Autumn Auction, particularly the outstanding performance of jadeite masterpieces, not only injected confidence into the art market but also foreshadowed a broader development prospect for the high-end jadeite market. The market will continue to pay attention to the trends of rare, high-quality jadeite and look forward to its continued success in future auctions.