【Beijing, November 15, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction recently concluded successfully, achieving a total turnover of RMB 3.25 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 85.7%. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Jade Carvings and Precious Objects' specialist sale performed exceptionally well, with a total turnover exceeding RMB 480 million, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year, demonstrating the strong resilience and continuous heating up of the high-end jade collecting market.
In this autumn auction, Hetian jade carvings were undoubtedly the undisputed stars. A Qing Dynasty white jade mythical beast carving titled 'Auspicious Beasts Presenting Good Fortune', with its warm jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism, sparked intense bidding on-site. Ultimately, this 3.5 kg white jade carving was hammered down at an astonishing price of RMB 85 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of RMB 50 million, with a premium rate of 70%, making it the highest-priced lot of this autumn auction. Another 'Mountain and Water Serenity' seed jade mountain carving, with its delicate skin color and profound artistic conception, also sold for a high price of RMB 42 million, an increase of 30% over its estimate.
From the overall data, several significant characteristics emerged in the Hetian jade section of this Guardian autumn auction: Firstly, high-quality, rare Hetian jade seed materials and works by renowned carvers remained the focus of market pursuit, with their price performance far exceeding expectations. Secondly, Qing Dynasty court jades and works by famous artists from the Republic of China period were favored by collectors, with lots that combine historical and cultural value with artistic value being more competitive. Finally, some contemporary jade carving works with unique design concepts and exquisite craftsmanship also began to emerge, indicating that the market's recognition of innovation and artistry is increasing.
Mr. Zhang Hua, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and General Manager of the Jade and Handicrafts Department, stated in an interview: "The excellent performance of Hetian jade carvings in this autumn auction once again confirms the strong purchasing power of the top-tier jade collecting market and collectors' sustained enthusiasm for rare treasures. In the current context of increased global economic uncertainty, Hetian jade, as a hard currency with artistic, cultural, and value-preserving attributes, its hedging function and investment value are becoming increasingly prominent. We have observed that the attention of new collector groups to Hetian jade continues to rise, and they tend to choose pieces with perfect condition, clear provenance, and unique artistic styles."
Professor Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: "The results of China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction paint a clear market picture for us. High-end Hetian jade, especially masterpieces with historical provenance and the endorsement of famous artists, is in a steady upward trend. In the coming years, with the upgrading of domestic consumption and the strengthening of cultural confidence, the Hetian jade market is expected to remain active. However, jade of ordinary quality or lacking artistic characteristics will have limited price growth potential, and market polarization will become more pronounced. Collectors entering the market must pay attention to the comprehensive consideration of jade quality, craftsmanship, cultural connotation, and provenance, and avoid blindly following trends."
The success of this autumn auction not only brought substantial turnover to China Guardian but also injected a strong boost into the entire art market, especially in the high-end jade collecting sector, where its future development potential remains immense.