【Hong Kong, November 18, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Autumn Sale 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated 'Chinese Ancient Jades and Works of Art' specialist sale performing exceptionally well, achieving a total of HK$125 million, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates. The ancient jade pendant section, in particular, saw several rare lots sell at high premiums, once again affirming its robust position in the art market.
This specialist sale featured a total of 120 pieces of ancient Chinese jades, with 108 pieces ultimately sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 90%. Ancient jade pendants, as a core highlight, comprised 35 lots, with 33 sold, reaching an astonishing sell-through rate of 94.3%. The most striking piece was a 'Western Han White Jade Dragon-motif Bi-shaped Pendant,' estimated at HK$8 million to HK$12 million. After multiple rounds of fierce bidding, it finally hammered at HK$28.5 million, an impressive premium rate of 137.5%. Another 'Warring States Period Celadon Jade Grain-patterned Bi with Protrusions,' estimated at HK$3 million to HK$5 million, sold for HK$10.5 million, achieving a premium rate of 110%. Overall, the average premium rate for the ancient jade pendant section reached 68%, demonstrating strong collector demand for high-quality ancient jade pendants.
Ms. Rebecca Li, President of Christie's Asia and International Head of Chinese Art, stated after the auction: “The outstanding performance of ancient jade pendants in this autumn sale once again proves the profound cultural heritage and unique artistic charm of ancient Chinese jades. Collectors have shown immense enthusiasm for ancient jade pendants with clear provenance, excellent condition, and exquisite craftsmanship. Jades from the Han and Warring States periods, in particular, due to their historical value and artistic achievement, have consistently been strong assets in the market.”
From a market analysis perspective, the continuous heating up of the ancient jade pendant market is not accidental. Firstly, the uncertainty in the global economic environment has made high-value, inflation-resistant artworks a preferred choice for capital preservation. As a treasure of Chinese civilization, ancient jade pendants possess strong value preservation and appreciation attributes due to their scarcity and non-renewability. Secondly, with China's continuous economic development and growing cultural confidence, an increasing number of domestic collectors are focusing on and investing in ancient jade collection, injecting new vitality into the market. Simultaneously, international collectors' awareness and acceptance of ancient Chinese art are also continuously improving, forming a virtuous cycle.
Professor Zhang, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The performance of ancient jade pendants at this Christie's autumn sale indicates that the ancient jade market will continue to maintain steady growth in the coming years. Especially exquisite jade pendants with clear dating, traceable provenance, and historical and cultural narratives still have significant room for appreciation. However, collectors should still exercise caution when entering the market, paying attention to authenticity, condition, craftsmanship, and cultural connotation of the jades, and avoid blindly following trends. Market demand for top-tier pieces will be more robust, while ordinary or questionable lots may face greater circulation pressure.”
Looking ahead, the ancient jade pendant market is expected to show a polarizing trend. On one hand, top-tier rarities will continue to set new records, becoming the focus of attention in the global art market; on the other hand, the mid-to-low-end market may face some adjustments and reshuffling. Therefore, for collectors, in-depth research and precise investment will be the key to success. The success of Christie's autumn sale undoubtedly laid a solid foundation for the spring sale market in 2027 and injected strong confidence into the global art market.