【Beijing, May 20, 2026】The highly anticipated China Guardian 2026 Spring Auction recently concluded successfully. Among them, the “Gems of Jade – Ancient Jade Carvings” special session, which attracted significant attention from collectors, performed exceptionally well. Many exquisite pieces of ancient jade and Ming and Qing dynasty jade carvings sold for prices far exceeding expectations, demonstrating the strong resilience of the high-end art market and collectors' deep passion for traditional culture.

This ancient jade carvings special session featured a total of 128 lots, with 108 pieces sold, achieving a remarkable sell-through rate of 84.38%. The total transaction value reached RMB 285 million, an increase of 15.3% compared to the same period last year. Notably, a “Western Han White Jade Bi Disc with Dragon and Phoenix Motif,” estimated at RMB 18 million to 25 million, was hammered at RMB 38.5 million. Including buyer's premium, the final transaction price reached an impressive RMB 44.275 million, becoming the highest-priced lot of the session and setting a new auction record for Western Han jade bi discs in the past five years. Another highly anticipated piece, a “Ming Dynasty Hetian Jade Carving of a Mythical Beast Seal,” sold for RMB 12.8 million, far exceeding its estimated range of RMB 6 million to 8 million, representing a staggering increase of 113%. In addition, several high-ancient jade pieces from the Warring States to Han dynasties, such as jade huang and jade cong, also performed well, with an average premium rate exceeding 35%.

Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:

Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The outstanding performance of the ancient jade carvings special session at this China Guardian Spring Auction is not accidental. It reflects that the current art market, especially the Chinese traditional art market, is undergoing a structural adjustment and recovery. Against the backdrop of macroeconomic challenges, the demand for investment in art pieces with scarcity, historical value, and cultural connotations remains strong among high-net-worth individuals. Ancient jade, as an important carrier of Chinese civilization, with its unique artistic charm and profound cultural heritage, has become a preferred choice for hedging and asset allocation.”

Based on the auction results, the market shows a stronger preference for the following categories of ancient jade carvings:

  • High-Ancient Jade (Warring States to Han Dynasties): High-ancient jade with clear provenance, intact condition, and exquisite craftsmanship, especially ritual vessels and ornaments, remains the focus of market pursuit. Its scarcity and historical research value are key factors supporting high prices.

  • Imperial Court Jade and Scholar's Jade Carvings (Ming and Qing Dynasties): Imperial jade with clear inscriptions, exquisite craftsmanship, and superior materials, as well as scholar's jade carvings favored by literati, continue to command strong prices due to their cultural added value and superb artistry.

  • Rare Materials and Unique Themes: Rare jade materials such as Xinjiang Hetian seed jade, celadon jade, and yellow jade, as well as jade pieces with unique meanings or rare themes, often attract fierce bidding from collectors.


Expert Commentary and Market Insights:

Professor Wang, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, stated: “The results of this auction are exhilarating. It not only proves the artistic and collection value of ancient jade but also reflects the market's pursuit of authentic, exquisite, and rare items. In the future, with the enhancement of China's traditional cultural confidence and the deepening understanding of jade culture among younger generations of collectors, the ancient jade market is expected to usher in broader development space. However, at the same time, we should also be wary of fakes and inferior products in the market, urging collectors to engage in rational collection under the guidance of professional institutions.”

A senior collector, who wished to remain anonymous, said in an interview: “I have been following the ancient jade market for over thirty years. China Guardian's success this time has greatly boosted my confidence in the market. Although the prices are high, good items will always find buyers. I believe now is an excellent time to invest in ancient jade, especially those with clear provenance and first-class condition.”

Looking ahead, Ms. Zhang, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and Head of the Jade Department, stated: “We will continue to delve deep into the ancient jade market, dedicating ourselves to discovering more treasures with historical, artistic, and collection value, and providing global collectors with higher-quality services and more professional platforms. We believe that with the enthusiastic support of collectors, the ancient jade market will continue to develop healthily.”

The success of this spring auction undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the art market in the second half of 2026, indicating that the Chinese traditional art market is gradually emerging from its adjustment period and moving towards a more stable growth trajectory.