China Guardian 2026 Autumn Auction: Master Collections Lead the Recovery, Market Confidence Steadily Rebounds

【Beijing, November 15, 2026】The highly anticipated China Guardian 2026 Autumn Auction concluded yesterday in Beijing. The total transaction volume for this autumn auction reached RMB 2.85 billion, an increase of 13.1% compared to RMB 2.52 billion in the 2025 autumn auction, with a transaction rate of 78.5%, a significant improvement from the previous quarter's 72.3%. Notably, several master collection special sessions performed exceptionally well, acting as the 'stabilizing force' of this auction. They not only boosted market confidence but also pointed the way for the future development of the art market.

This autumn auction featured 35 special sessions, covering various categories such as Chinese paintings and calligraphy, ceramics and miscellaneous items, rare books, stamps and coins, and jewelry and jade. The most attention-grabbing sessions were "Grand View – Night of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Treasures" and "Lustrous Jade – Master Collection Jadeite Special Session."

In the "Grand View – Night of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Treasures" session, Qi Baishi's "Shrimp Fun" was hammered at RMB 120 million, far exceeding its pre-auction estimate of RMB 80 million, becoming the highest-priced lot of the session. Zhang Daqian's "Splashed Ink Landscape" sold for RMB 85 million, an increase of 25%. Fu Baoshi's "Night Rain on Bashan Mountain" also fetched a high price of RMB 68 million. The total transaction volume for this session reached RMB 980 million, with a high transaction rate of 92%, fully demonstrating the strong market appeal of top-tier painting and calligraphy works.

The "Lustrous Jade – Master Collection Jadeite Special Session" also performed remarkably. An "Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace" from a renowned Hong Kong collector sold for an astonishing RMB 150 million, setting a new auction record for jadeite bead necklaces in the past three years. Another "Icy Green Jadeite Bangle," formerly owned by a Republic of China socialite, also sold for RMB 65 million, an 18% increase from its estimate. The total transaction volume for this session reached RMB 420 million, with an 85% transaction rate.

Ms. Hu Yanyan, President of China Guardian Auctions Co., Ltd., stated in an interview: "The success of this autumn auction, especially the outstanding performance of the master collection sessions, fully demonstrates that under the current market conditions, collectors remain enthusiastic about high-quality pieces with clear provenance, well-documented circulation, and high artistic value. The market is gradually returning to rationality, and collectors are paying more attention to the artistic value and cultural connotations of works, rather than blindly chasing short-term hot spots."

Market Analysis and Trend Judgement:

• Boutique Strategy Pays Off: The data from this autumn auction indicates that market demand for highly scarce, artistically excellent 'hard currency' remains strong. Master collections, due to their unique historical background and collection value, have become the preferred choice for market hedging and value preservation.

• Market Confidence Rebounds: The 13.1% increase in total transaction volume and the 78.5% transaction rate are both higher than the average levels of the past two years, signaling that the art market is emerging from its slump, and collector confidence has somewhat recovered. Especially amidst increasing global economic uncertainty, art as an alternative investment is gradually being recognized for its risk-resistant capabilities.

• Jadeite Sector Shines: High-end jadeite, such as emeralds, performed exceptionally well in this auction, showcasing its strong appeal as a hard asset. Under inflation expectations and wealth inheritance demands, the value of top-tier jadeite will continue to be sought after.

• Online-Offline Integration Trend: This auction continued to strengthen online bidding services, with online transactions accounting for 15% of the total, demonstrating the profound impact of digital technology on the auction industry. In the future, online-offline integration will become the norm, providing more convenient participation methods for global collectors.

Professor Li Ming, a renowned art market commentator, pointed out: "The success of China Guardian's autumn auction has injected a strong boost into the entire art market. The excellent performance of master collections not only highlights their historical and cultural value but also reflects collectors' more mature and prudent investment strategies. In the coming years, we expect the art market to show a structural recovery, with specialization, internationalization, and digitalization being the main trends. For ordinary investors, focusing on works with clear provenance and authoritative authentication will be a wise move."

Overall, China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction, with its impressive transaction data and strong performance of master collections, successfully boosted market confidence, signaling that the Chinese art market is moving towards a more stable and mature stage of development.