【Beijing, May 18, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated 'Master Collection' special session performing exceptionally well. The total transaction volume reached RMB 1.28 billion, with an impressive sell-through rate of 92.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. The success of this session not only demonstrates the strong resilience of the top-tier art market but also signals that the Chinese art market is entering a new phase of steady recovery.
This 'Master Collection' session featured 210 rare lots, covering various categories including Chinese painting and calligraphy, antique treasures, and modern and contemporary art. Several lots sold for prices several times their estimates, attracting widespread market attention. For instance, Zhang Daqian's monumental splash-ink landscape painting, 'Mount Lu', was hammered at RMB 250 million, an almost 39% premium over its upper estimate of RMB 180 million, making it the highest-selling lot of the session. Qi Baishi's four-panel 'Shrimp Fun' series, after multiple rounds of intense bidding, finally sold for RMB 88 million, a 35.4% increase from its previous public market appearance in 2018 (RMB 65 million). Additionally, a Famille Rose 'Nine Peaches' celestial sphere vase from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty fetched RMB 150 million, setting a new auction record for similar pieces in the past five years.
From the data, the total transaction volume of this 'Master Collection' session increased by 34.7% compared to the same session in the 2025 Spring Auction (RMB 950 million), and the sell-through rate also rose from 85% to 92.5%, indicating a significant recovery in buyer confidence. The average transaction price per lot also reached RMB 6.095 million, a year-on-year increase of 28.1%. This series of data clearly outlines the strong demand for high-quality, rare artworks in the market.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The success of Guardian's Spring Auction, especially the outstanding performance of the 'Master Collection' session, is the result of multiple converging factors. Firstly, the gradual stabilization of the global economic environment has provided a more relaxed macro background for art investment by high-net-worth individuals. Secondly, Guardian's meticulous efforts in soliciting lots ensured that the collections presented in this session, whether in terms of artistic value, historical provenance, or condition completeness, reached top-tier standards, effectively stimulating collectors' bidding enthusiasm. Finally, the integrated online and offline auction model further expanded the buyer base and enhanced bidding activity."
Mr. Guo Yu, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions Co., Ltd. and General Manager of the Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Department, stated: "We are very pleased with the results of this Spring Auction. The success of the 'Master Collection' session once again proves the art market's eternal pursuit of exquisite and rare treasures. We have observed that buyers are more rational in selecting lots, but for artworks with genuine collection value and appreciation potential, their bidding willingness and payment ability remain strong. In the future, we expect the market to continue to show a polarization trend, meaning that prices for top-tier artworks will remain firm or even continue to rise, while ordinary artworks may face greater market pressure."
Looking ahead, with the continuous development of China's economy and the enhancement of cultural confidence, art investment will continue to be an important component of asset allocation for high-net-worth individuals. The success of this Guardian Spring Auction has undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the entire art market, signaling the arrival of a more active and opportunity-filled era of art trading. Market participants generally believe that 2026 will be a crucial year for the comprehensive recovery of the Chinese art market, and master collections, as a core segment within it, will continue to lead market trends.