Beijing, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. This season's auction, with its diversified lot structure and robust market performance, once again demonstrated the resilience and vitality of the Chinese art market. Among them, exquisite Bi Yu jade pieces stood out as the highlight of the sale, achieving impressive transaction figures and signaling new development opportunities for the jade market.
The spring auction featured a total of 12 specialized sales, achieving a total turnover of RMB 850 million, with a high sell-through rate of 82.5%. Compared to the same period last year, the total turnover increased by 12%, and the sell-through rate improved by 3 percentage points, indicating a continuous recovery in market confidence. Notably, the highly anticipated “Splendor of Jade – Ancient Chinese Jadeware” special sale performed exceptionally well, with a total turnover of RMB 180 million and a sell-through rate of 91.2%.
Exquisite Bi Yu Jade Leads, Achieving Repeated Success
In this season's auction, exquisite Bi Yu jade pieces were undoubtedly the focal point. A mid-Qing Dynasty Bi Yu carved 'Blessings and Longevity' covered vase fetched a high price of RMB 38 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of RMB 25-30 million, with a premium rate of 52%, becoming the 'King of Jade' in this sale. The piece features a regular form, warm and delicate jade quality, stable and subdued color, and exquisite carving, conveying auspicious meanings, making it highly favored by collectors. Another Qing Dynasty Qianlong Bi Yu carved 'Hermit under Pine' mountain-shaped ornament sold for RMB 15 million, an increase of 50% compared to its estimate of RMB 10-12 million. In addition, several Bi Yu bracelets, ornaments, and other items also sold for prices above their estimates, with an average premium rate exceeding 35%.
Market Analysis: Value of Exquisite Bi Yu Jade Highlighted, Market Tends Towards Rationality and Professionalism
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The excellent performance of Bi Yu jade lots in this Council International spring auction is not accidental. In recent years, with the increasing depletion of Hetian jade seed material, the value of high-quality Bi Yu jade, especially top-grade materials from Manasi, Xinjiang, and Russian Bi Yu, is being re-recognized and re-evaluated by the market. Collectors' aesthetic and collecting philosophies for jade are also maturing, with a greater focus on jade quality, craftsmanship, cultural connotations, and verifiable provenance. Bi Yu, with its unique color, warm texture, and relatively abundant reserves, has become a new favorite in the collecting market after white jade.”
Ms. Zhang Hua, Deputy General Manager and Head of the Jade Department at Beijing Council International Auction Co., Ltd., stated: “We have observed a continuous strong demand for high-quality, rare Bi Yu jade. The success of this spring auction benefits from our strict selection of lots and accurate grasp of market trends. In the future, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to discovering more jade treasures with historical, cultural, and artistic value to meet the growing demand for collection.”
Expert Commentary: Future Market Outlook
Professor Wang, a member of the Expert Committee of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, believes: “Judging from the results of this auction, the overall jade market shows a steady upward trend, and the value of exquisite Bi Yu jade has been fully reflected. This indicates that in the context of a stable overall economic environment, the hard currency attributes in the art market are becoming increasingly prominent. For the future market, I hold a cautiously optimistic view. On the one hand, high-quality jade resources are increasingly scarce, and their value preservation and appreciation attributes will continue to attract investors; on the other hand, the market will pay more attention to the cultural value and artistic taste of the lots, and those jade pieces with stories, provenance, and unique aesthetics will be more sought after. At the same time, we should also be wary of market bubbles, invest rationally, and avoid blind following.”
In conclusion, the successful holding of Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction not only injected new vitality into the art market but also painted a bright prospect for the Bi Yu jade collection field. With the improvement of collectors' aesthetic standards and the deepening of market professionalism, the investment and collection value of high-quality Bi Yu jade will continue to climb, becoming a beautiful landscape in the art market.