Beijing, November 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction value of this autumn auction reached RMB 1.28 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82.5%, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year, indicating a strong recovery in the art market, especially in the jade sector. Among them, fine Bi Yu jade pieces performed exceptionally well, becoming the highlight of this auction.
This autumn auction featured 12 special sessions, covering various categories such as Chinese painting and calligraphy, porcelain and miscellaneous items, rare books, and jewelry and watches. In the “Condensing Green Radiance – Important Jade Wares Special Session,” Bi Yu jade lots were undoubtedly the biggest highlight. One Qing Dynasty Qianlong period “Bi Yu Jade Carved Chi-Dragon Handle Live-Ring Censer” was hammered at RMB 38 million, far exceeding its pre-auction estimate of RMB 22 million, with a premium rate as high as 72.7%, becoming the highest-priced lot in this auction. The censer's jade was warm and delicate, with a deep color, exquisite carving, and the live-ring design was incredibly ingenious, attracting fierce bidding from collectors both on-site and online. Another “Hetian Bi Yu Jade Carved Mountain with Scholars under Pine Trees” also sold for RMB 18.5 million, an increase of 48% from its estimate. According to statistics, the Bi Yu jade special session offered 68 fine Bi Yu jade pieces, with 59 sold, achieving a sell-through rate of 86.8%, and a total transaction value of RMB 260 million, accounting for nearly half of the total transaction value of jade wares.
From the data, the Bi Yu jade sector in this autumn auction showed a trend of both volume and price increases. Not only did high-quality Bi Yu jade lots repeatedly set new records, but mid-priced Bi Yu jade ornaments and擺件 also performed well, with an average premium rate of 35%. This indicates that the market's recognition of Bi Yu jade's value is continuously improving, and collectors' enthusiasm for fine Bi Yu jade remains strong.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The outstanding performance of Bi Yu jade in this Council International autumn auction is a reflection of the current market's dual recognition of scarce resources and exquisite craftsmanship. Against the backdrop of a gradually stabilizing economic environment, high-net-worth individuals have strong investment demand for art pieces with potential for value preservation and appreciation. Especially Bi Yu jade of the Qing Dynasty imperial court level, its unique historical and cultural value, scarcity, and non-renewability make it a preferred choice for hedging against inflation and achieving wealth inheritance. At the same time, the aesthetic appreciation of Bi Yu jade among the younger generation of collectors is also maturing, promoting diversified market development.”
Mr. Dong Guoqiang, Chairman of Beijing Council International Auction Co., Ltd., stated in an interview: “We are very satisfied with the results of this autumn auction, especially the performance of the Bi Yu jade sector, which exceeded expectations. This once again confirms our judgment on market trends – fine art pieces, especially jade with profound cultural heritage and exquisite craftsmanship, will continue to be recognized by the market for their value. In the future, we will continue to deeply cultivate the jade market and bring more high-quality treasures to collectors.”
Looking ahead, industry insiders generally believe that with the continuous development of China's economy and the increasing cultural confidence, the art market will usher in new development opportunities. As an important part of traditional Chinese jade culture, Bi Yu jade still has enormous market potential. It is expected that in the next few years, the market price of high-quality Bi Yu jade will maintain a steady upward trend, and its investment value will be further highlighted. However, collectors still need to pay attention to the origin, quality, carving, and cultural connotation of the jade when investing, to avoid blindly following trends and ensure investment returns.