Beijing, May 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday. Against a backdrop of a generally cautious market, the jade carving art section performed exceptionally well, with a total turnover exceeding 250 million RMB and an impressive sell-through rate of 88%, marking a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This indicates a strong rebound in the high-end jade carving market.
The jade carving section featured 120 carefully selected lots, ranging from ancient jade to contemporary masterworks. Notably, a Qing Dynasty Qianlong period white jade 'Fu Shou Shuang Quan' ruyi (scepter) fetched an astonishing 38 million RMB, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of 20-25 million RMB, becoming the highest-priced lot of the session. The ruyi, with its delicate and warm jade, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism, saw its high premium fully reflect the market's pursuit of rare and high-quality Qing imperial jade. Another piece, a Hetian jade pebble 'Guanyin Statue' by contemporary jade carving master Wu Desheng, sold for 12 million RMB, an increase of approximately 10% compared to the average transaction price of similar works last year, highlighting the solid position of contemporary masterworks in the market.
From the data, the average transaction price per lot in the jade carving sector of this spring auction reached 2.08 million RMB, a significant increase from 1.85 million RMB in last year's autumn auction. Among these, the sell-through rate for exquisite jade carvings estimated above 5 million RMB reached 95%, while lots estimated below 1 million RMB also maintained a sell-through rate above 80%, demonstrating market activity across different price points. Furthermore, the buyer structure showed a diversified trend, with not only seasoned collectors and institutional investors actively participating, but also a growing number of younger art enthusiasts entering the market, injecting new vitality.
Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, commented: “The success of the jade carving section in this Council International spring auction sends several key signals. Firstly, expectations of economic recovery have strengthened, and the confidence of high-net-worth individuals in art investment has somewhat recovered. Secondly, the market's perception of the value of jade carving art is becoming more rational, focusing more on the artistry, rarity, and traceable provenance of the works. Qing Dynasty imperial jade and contemporary masterworks remain 'hard currency' in the market, with their value preservation and appreciation capabilities fully verified.”
Wang Qiang, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Association, also pointed out: “The scarcity of Hetian jade pebble resources determines its long-term investment value. In this auction, multiple high-quality Hetian jade pebble works sold for high prices, once again confirming this market rule. In the future, with the global spread of jade culture and the improvement of collectors' aesthetic standards, the market potential of jade carving art will be further unleashed.”
However, the market is not without its challenges. Some ordinary pieces with common jade quality and mediocre craftsmanship, despite some price increases, saw limited gains, and occasional unsold lots occurred. This indicates that buyers are becoming increasingly discerning, preferring to invest in masterpieces with unique artistic value and cultural connotations. In the future, the jade carving market will focus more on quality and brand, and jade carving artists with unique styles and exquisite skills will gain higher market recognition.
Overall, the jade carving art section of the Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction delivered encouraging results, injecting a strong boost into the entire art market. It not only reflects the market's re-evaluation of the value of jade carving art but also heralds the arrival of a more mature and vibrant era of jade carving collection.