【Beijing, November 20, 2026】The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the “Splendid Jades – Important Ancient Jade Special” standing out particularly. The total transaction value reached RMB 185 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. This once again demonstrated the strong resilience and collecting enthusiasm in the ancient jade market, especially in the high-ancient jade segment.

The special session featured 125 lots, covering various jade artifacts from the Neolithic period to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, a “Late Shang Dynasty Celadon Jade Human Face Gui” with an estimated price of RMB 28 million to 35 million became the focal point of the entire session. After multiple rounds of fierce bidding, it was finally hammered at RMB 48.5 million, with the final price including commission reaching RMB 55.775 million, an increase of 99.2% from its lowest estimate. This piece, with its rare form, exquisite craftsmanship, and clear provenance, received high recognition from collectors. Another “Western Han Dynasty White Jade Chi Dragon Bi” also sold for RMB 18.2 million, 1.5 times its highest estimate, demonstrating the continuous appeal of Han dynasty jades in the market.

From the data, several significant characteristics emerged from this ancient jade special session:

  • High-ancient jade masterpieces lead the market: Jades from the Neolithic period to the Han dynasty, especially those in excellent condition and with clear provenance, remain hot commodities in the market. Among the top ten highest-priced lots in this auction, seven belonged to the high-ancient jade category, with an average premium rate exceeding 65%.


  • Mid-to-low-end market tends to be rational: For mid-to-low-end jade artifacts estimated below RMB 500,000, although the sell-through rate was high, the premium space was relatively limited. This indicates that collectors in this segment prioritize cost-effectiveness and collection value over blindly chasing high prices.


  • Material and craftsmanship are equally important: In addition to antiquity, the quality of the jade and the sophistication of the carving craftsmanship are crucial factors determining the value of a lot. High-quality jade materials such as Hetian jade and celadon jade, as well as ingenious patterns and forms, often receive higher market favor.


Commenting on the auction results, Professor Li Ming, a renowned jade appraisal expert and Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, stated: “The success of Poly’s ancient jade special once again confirms the stability and growth of the high-end ancient jade market. In the current context of increased global economic uncertainty, art pieces with profound cultural heritage and scarcity, especially high-ancient jades, are increasingly highlighting their safe-haven attributes and investment value. Collectors’ awareness of exquisite ancient jades continues to improve, and they are willing to pay high prices for truly rare and historically valuable collectibles.”

Ms. Wang Li, a senior art market analyst, pointed out: “The success of this auction is also inseparable from Poly’s precise market positioning and professional curatorial capabilities. Their strict selection of lots, detailed catalog descriptions, and global promotion all laid the foundation for the final transactions. In the coming years, we expect the high-ancient jade market to continue its steady growth, but collectors should still pay attention to the authenticity, condition, and provenance of the works when investing, to avoid blindly following trends.”

Looking ahead, with the revival of traditional Chinese culture and the trend of younger collectors, the ancient jade market will embrace broader development opportunities. However, market differentiation will also become more pronounced, with masterpieces and authentic pieces continuing to be sought after, while common and questionable works may face greater market pressure. Collectors and investors should remain cautious, conduct in-depth research, to achieve substantial returns in the field of ancient jade collecting.