【Beijing, May 20, 2026】The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the 'Congealed Verdant Glow – Important Bi Yu Jadeite and Jade Treasures' special session performing exceptionally well, once again affirming the strong resilience and recovery trend of the high-end jade market. This session featured 120 carefully selected lots, with 108 ultimately sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 90%. The total transaction value reached RMB 185 million, significantly exceeding the pre-auction estimate of RMB 150 million, and representing an 18% increase compared to the Bi Yu special session in the same period last year.
Featured Lots: Bi Yu Masterpieces Consistently Achieve High Prices
The star lot of this auction was undoubtedly a 'Qianlong Period Bi Yu Carved Nine-Dragon Brush Pot'. Its massive size, exquisite craftsmanship, and rich Bi Yu texture attracted fierce bidding from numerous collectors. It finally hammered at an astonishing price of RMB 38 million, far exceeding its estimate of RMB 20 million, making it the top-selling item in this Bi Yu session. Another 'Hetian Bi Yu Seed Jade Carved Auspicious Beast Ornament' also performed remarkably, selling for RMB 12.8 million, with a premium rate of 42%. Furthermore, several Bi Yu bracelets, pendants, and vessels estimated in the RMB 5 million to RMB 10 million range all sold for prices 15%-30% above their estimates, demonstrating strong market demand for high-quality Bi Yu.
Market Analysis: High-End Bi Yu Defies Trends, Investment Value Highlights
Wang Ming, a senior auction industry journalist and jade market analyst, pointed out: "Despite ongoing uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment, the outstanding performance of the Bi Yu special session at this Poly Spring Auction clearly indicates that the high-end jade market, especially the top-tier Bi Yu segment, has entered a stable upward channel. The simultaneous increase in both sell-through rate and total transaction value, particularly the frequent occurrence of high-premium sales, shows that collectors have great confidence in rare, high-quality Bi Yu treasures with cultural and artistic value. This is not just art collection, but also a reflection of asset allocation."
Wang Ming further analyzed: "The strong performance of Qianlong period Bi Yu artifacts in this auction once again confirms their 'hard currency' status in the market. Such lots are not only made of superior materials but also carry profound historical and cultural heritage and exquisite court craftsmanship. Their scarcity determines their long-term investment value. At the same time, modern master-carved Hetian Bi Yu seed jade works were also sought after, indicating market recognition and support for contemporary jade carving art."
Expert Commentary: Quality and Heritage are Core Drivers
Professor Li Hua, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, stated in an interview: "The success of this Poly Spring Auction's Bi Yu special session is fundamentally due to the high quality of the lots and the cultural heritage they embody. Whether it's Bi Yu artifacts from the Qing imperial collection or masterpieces by contemporary jade carving masters, all strictly adhere to the four major evaluation criteria for jade: 'material, craftsmanship, artistry, and charm.' In today's increasingly rational market, only truly rare, artistic, and historically valuable masterpieces can withstand the test of time and stand out in the auction arena. Collectors are increasingly focusing on the origin, condition, craftsmanship, and cultural connotation of jade, which prompts auction houses to be more meticulous in their consignment process."
Professor Li also emphasized: "As an important component of traditional Chinese jade, Bi Yu's warm and subtle characteristics highly align with the aesthetic tastes of the Chinese nation. With the enhancement of cultural confidence and the growth of the wealthy class, the demand for Bi Yu collection and investment will continue to increase. In the future, we expect the market to continue to develop towards specialization and branding, with Bi Yu treasures possessing unique cultural stories and heritage backgrounds becoming more favored."
Outlook: Broad Prospects for the Bi Yu Market
A relevant representative from Poly Auction stated that the success of this Bi Yu special session instills strong confidence for the upcoming autumn auction. In the future, Poly will continue to deeply cultivate the jade market, committed to presenting more high-quality and high-value Bi Yu and various jade treasures to global collectors. It is expected that the high-end Bi Yu market will maintain a steady growth trend in the coming years, becoming a bright spot in the art investment landscape.