[Beijing, November 15, 2026] China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated 'Contemporary Jade Carving' special session performing exceptionally well. The total transaction value reached RMB 185 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92.3%, far exceeding market expectations. This achievement not only set a new record for Guardian's contemporary jade carving sector in recent years but also reaffirmed the strong growth momentum of the Chinese contemporary jade carving market.
A total of 120 exquisite contemporary jade carving pieces were offered in this auction, covering various precious jade materials such as Hetian jade, jadeite, and Nanhong agate. The themes were diverse, and the craftsmanship was superb. Among them, several works by renowned masters became the focus of collectors' pursuit. The leading lot, a Hetian jade ornament titled 'Mountain and Water Serenity' created by national-level jade carving master Zhang XX, was finally hammered at RMB 28 million, 35% higher than its estimate, becoming the highest-priced lot of the session due to its delicate jade quality, exquisite composition, and profound artistic conception. Another jadeite pendant titled 'Zen Life' designed by young jade carving artist Li XX, with its unique modern aesthetics and superb skillful use of natural colors, soared from an estimate of RMB 1.8 million to RMB 4.5 million, an increase of 150%, demonstrating the market's strong demand for innovative design and high-quality jadeite.
From the data, the average price per lot in this contemporary jade carving session reached RMB 1.54 million, a 25% increase compared to the same period last year. Among them, high-end lots estimated above RMB 5 million achieved a 100% sell-through rate, while exquisite pieces estimated between RMB 1 million and RMB 5 million also performed excellently, with a sell-through rate of 95%. This indicates a continuous increase in market recognition for high-quality, high-artistic-value contemporary jade carving works.
Mr. Wang Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The success of the contemporary jade carving sector in this Guardian Autumn Auction is the result of multiple superimposed factors. Firstly, China's steady economic development provides a solid foundation for the art market. Secondly, the contemporary jade carving artist community continues to grow, and their creative level is constantly improving, leading to a large number of exquisite works with collection value. In addition, the younger generation of collectors has shown strong interest in jade carving works that combine traditional culture with modern aesthetics, injecting new vitality into the market."
Ms. Chen Li, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and Head of the Jade Department, stated: "We are very satisfied with the performance of this contemporary jade carving session. This not only reflects the market's affirmation of our discerning eye in selecting lots but also portends broad development prospects for the contemporary jade carving market in the future. We will continue to delve into this field, dedicated to discovering more excellent jade carving artists and works, and providing collectors with higher quality collection choices."
Looking ahead, the market generally believes that against the backdrop of continuous improvement in artists' creativity, expanding collector base, and increasing cultural confidence, the Chinese contemporary jade carving market will maintain a steady growth trend. Especially those exquisite pieces that combine superb craftsmanship, unique design, and profound cultural connotations are expected to see their market value further climb. At the same time, with the deepening of online auctions and global promotion, the international influence of contemporary jade carving will gradually increase, attracting more attention from international collectors. However, the market also needs to be wary of blind following and speculation, and rational investment remains key. High quality, scarcity, and works by renowned masters will be the mainstream investment direction in the future market.