BEIJING, May 18, 2026 – China Guardian's 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated 'Auspicious Metal and Auspicious Jade – Ancient Jadeware' special session performing exceptionally well. The total transaction value reached RMB 285 million, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92.3%. This once again confirms the strong resilience and collecting enthusiasm in the high-end ancient jadeware market.
The special session featured 120 meticulously selected ancient jade pieces, covering exquisite items from the Neolithic period to the Qing Dynasty. Among them, a 'Western Han White Jade Bi Disc with Chi-dragon Design' fetched a staggering RMB 85 million, soaring 150% above its lowest estimate, becoming the highest-selling lot of the auction. The jade disc boasts a warm luster, exquisite craftsmanship, and vivid chi-dragon motifs, fully showcasing the pinnacle of Han Dynasty jade artistry. Another piece, a 'Ming Dynasty Archaistic Celadon Jade Gui Vessel with Taotie Mask Design,' also sold for RMB 32 million, with a premium rate of 120%, demonstrating the market's continued pursuit of Ming and Qing dynasty archaistic jadeware.
From the data, the transaction value of this ancient jadeware session increased by 18.7% compared to the same period in 2025, and the sell-through rate also rose by 3.5 percentage points. Notably, the sell-through rate for high-value lots (above RMB 10 million) reached 100%, while that for mid-to-low value lots (RMB 1 million to RMB 5 million) remained at a high level of 88%. This indicates that the market not only eagerly pursues top-tier treasures but also maintains robust demand for well-preserved and historically valuable general pieces.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The success of this Guardian Spring Auction's ancient jadeware session is the result of multiple contributing factors. Firstly, the gradual global economic recovery has led to a wealth effect among high-net-worth individuals, increasing demand for art investment. Secondly, as an important carrier of Chinese civilization, ancient jade's cultural value and scarcity make it an excellent choice for hedging against inflation and preserving/increasing wealth. Furthermore, Guardian's strict vetting of consignments and investment in academic research have provided confidence to collectors."
Ms. Wang Li, Head of China Guardian's Jade Department, stated: "We are very pleased with the performance of this ancient jadeware session. The sale of the 'Western Han White Jade Bi Disc with Chi-dragon Design' specifically, which once again broke the auction record for Han Dynasty jadeware in recent years, fully illustrates the scarcity of top-tier ancient jade in the market and its immeasurable artistic value. In the future, we will continue to deeply cultivate the ancient jade market, striving to unearth more treasures with historical and cultural value and collection potential to meet the growing market demand."
Looking ahead, the market generally believes that the ancient jadeware sector will continue to maintain a steady growth trend. As collectors' knowledge levels improve and aesthetic tastes diversify, ancient jade pieces with clear provenance, well-documented history, exquisite craftsmanship, and unique cultural connotations will be more favored. At the same time, the interest of emerging collectors in ancient jade is also gradually increasing, injecting new vitality into the market. It is expected that in the coming years, the ancient jade market will show a trend of both volume and price increases, and its investment value will be further highlighted.
However, experts also remind collectors that while the market is improving, vigilance against fakes and excessive speculation is still necessary. Collectors are advised to seek professional appraisal opinions when purchasing and to pay attention to the item's historical provenance and cultural background to ensure the quality and value of their collection.