【Hong Kong, May 10, 2026】Sotheby's Spring 2026 auction, which recently concluded, once again solidified its leading position in the global art market with its exceptional quality of lots and strong sales performance. The total sales of this spring auction reached a staggering $280 million, with a sell-through rate of 85%. Among them, the highly anticipated “Important Chinese Art” sale performed particularly well, with ancient jade bi (disc) leading the charge, sparking fierce bidding among collectors due to its rarity and historical value.
The undisputed highlight of this auction was a Western Han Dynasty 'Dragon-motif Jade Bi' estimated between $8 million and $12 million. This jade bi, with a diameter of 25 cm, features a lustrous jade quality and exquisite craftsmanship. Its double-sided relief carving of dragon motifs, with smooth lines and magnificent presence, represents the pinnacle of Han Dynasty jade artistry. After nearly 20 rounds of intense bidding, it was finally hammered down at $18.5 million (approximately RMB 130 million) by an anonymous Asian private collector, far exceeding its high estimate. This selling price not only set a new auction record for similar jade bi in the past five years but also represented an increase of over 105% compared to its previous auction price of $9 million in 2015, fully demonstrating the strong growth momentum of the archaic jade market.
In addition to this star lot, several other ancient jade pieces also achieved impressive results in this spring auction. For instance, a Warring States period 'Grain-pattern Jade Cong' sold for $3.2 million, 45% higher than its estimate; a Neolithic Liangzhu culture 'Human-Beast Mask Jade Yue' also changed hands for $2.8 million, a price at the higher end of its estimated range. Overall, the ancient jade section of this spring auction achieved a total sales figure of $55 million, with a high sell-through rate of 92%, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year.
Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The data from Sotheby's spring auction clearly indicates that the archaic jade market is in an upward cycle. Collectors are showing immense enthusiasm for ancient jade pieces with clear provenance, excellent condition, and significant historical and cultural value. Especially for rare treasures like Han Dynasty jade bi, which have clear dating, exquisite craftsmanship, and cultural connotations, their scarcity determines their firm prices and potential for continuous appreciation. We anticipate that in the coming years, top-tier archaic jade pieces will remain the focus of market pursuit, and their value is expected to climb further.”
Ms. Zhang Hua, a jade market researcher, also stated: “Global economic recovery and the growing interest of high-net-worth individuals in art investment provide a solid foundation for the archaic jade market. At the same time, in-depth research and promotion of ancient jade by academics have also enhanced public awareness and appreciation of these artworks. However, investors entering the archaic jade market still need to exercise caution, focusing on the authenticity, condition, and clear provenance of the lots to avoid blindly following trends.”
Expert Commentary:
Ms. Wang Li, Head of Chinese Works of Art, Sotheby's Asia, stated at the press conference: “We are very pleased with the results of this spring auction, especially the remarkable achievements of the ancient jade bi, which once again proves the market's recognition of the profound cultural heritage and exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Chinese art. We will continue to be committed to presenting more rare art treasures to global collectors and look forward to the continued prosperity and development of the archaic jade market.”
In summary, Sotheby's Spring 2026 auction not only showcased the immense charm of ancient jade bi as a top-tier collectible but also painted a vibrant and growing picture of the archaic jade market. As global collectors' interest in traditional Chinese cultural and artistic treasures continues to deepen, the investment value and collection prospects of archaic jade will continue to improve.