【Hong Kong, May 15, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Spring Sale 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of US$280 million, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates, with a sell-through rate of 92%. The highly anticipated Chinese Works of Art section performed exceptionally well, particularly the rare Hetian jade carving series, which became the highlight of this auction, once again affirming the strong demand in the high-end jade market and the growing investment enthusiasm of collectors.
In this spring sale, a Qianlong period white jade 'chilong' dragon carving from a river pebble sold for an astonishing US$12 million, far surpassing its estimate of US$5 million, setting a new record for similar items in the past five years. Another mid-Qing period yellow jade carving with auspicious beast motifs also fetched US$8.5 million, representing a 45% increase compared to its secondary market price three years ago. Overall, all 25 Hetian jade carvings offered in this auction were successfully sold, achieving a 100% sell-through rate and a total sales value of US$48 million, with an average premium rate of 120% per lot.
Mr. Francis Lin, President of Christie's Asia and International Head of Chinese Works of Art, stated after the auction: “The success of this spring sale, especially the outstanding performance of the Hetian jade carvings, fully demonstrates the deep interest and confidence of global collectors in traditional Chinese art, particularly high-quality jade. We have observed that market demand for Hetian jade treasures with clear provenance, exquisite craftsmanship, and superior jade quality remains strong, and the buyer base is becoming increasingly diverse, including not only seasoned collectors but also emerging wealthy individuals.”
Professor Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “In recent years, with increasing global economic uncertainty, art as an alternative investment asset has increasingly highlighted its value preservation and appreciation attributes. Hetian jade, especially rare river pebbles and works by renowned carvers, is regarded as a hard currency due to its non-renewable nature and profound cultural heritage. The high premium achieved in this auction is not accidental, but a rational return of the market to scarce resources and exquisite craftsmanship. It is expected that in the coming years, the market value of high-end Hetian jade will continue to grow steadily, especially for masterpieces that combine artistic value and historical provenance.”
From the data, the average selling price of Hetian jade carvings in this auction increased by approximately 25% compared to the same period last year, indicating sustained market enthusiasm for high-quality jade. Among them, lots with famous carver's marks or clear provenance records showed particularly outstanding premium capabilities. For example, a white jade carving of a boy playing with a lotus, carved by a Qing Dynasty imperial jade craftsman, despite its modest estimate, eventually sold for three times its estimate due to its clear imperial background and exquisite craftsmanship.
Looking ahead, the jade market will show a bifurcated trend. On the one hand, high-quality, rare, and culturally rich jade masterpieces will continue to be sought after, with their prices expected to continue to rise; on the other hand, ordinary quality or ununique jade may see stable market performance or even face adjustments. For collectors, in-depth research into the history, culture, material, and craftsmanship of jade, and selecting potential masterpieces, will be key to mitigating risks and achieving value growth. The success of Christie's spring sale has undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the global art market and pointed to new directions for jade collecting.