【Hangzhou, November 25, 2026】The highly anticipated Xiling Yinshe 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction value of this autumn auction reached RMB 1.28 billion, with a high sell-through rate of 82.5%. Among them, the special session featuring jade and scholar's objects performed particularly well, with a transaction value exceeding RMB 350 million, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year, demonstrating the continuous pursuit of high-quality traditional scholar's art by the market.
This autumn auction offered over 2,000 lots, covering various categories including Chinese paintings and calligraphy, ancient books and rubbings, scholar's objects, jade, porcelain, oil paintings, and sculptures. The jade and scholar's objects special session presented a total of 280 lots, with 245 ultimately sold, achieving a sell-through rate of 87.5%. Several significant lots set new auction records in their respective categories.
Regarding the highlight lots, a Qing Dynasty Qianlong period white jade 'Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl' brush pot was hammered at RMB 48 million, far exceeding its previous estimate of RMB 30 million, with a premium rate as high as 60%, becoming the 'star lot' of this auction. The brush pot's jade is warm and delicate, with exquisite carving. Nine dragons are depicted soaring amidst clouds, majestic and grand, fully showcasing the peak craftsmanship of Qing Dynasty imperial jade carving. Another mid-Qing Dynasty Hetian jade seed material 'Scholar Under Pine Trees' mountain carving sold for RMB 22 million, an increase of 37.5% from its estimate. This mountain carving features a large jade material with natural skin color and profound artistic conception in its carving, vividly expressing the elegant and refined spirit of literati.
In addition, a set of six Ming Dynasty celadon and white jade carved mythical beast knob seals was acquired by the same collector for a total price of RMB 15 million, with an average price of RMB 2.5 million per piece, 25% higher than the estimate. These seals feature pure jade and archaic carving, possessing high historical and artistic value.
Market Analysis and Trend Judgment:
The success of this Xiling Yinshe autumn auction, especially the strong performance of the jade and scholar's objects sector, further validates several prominent trends in the current art market. Firstly, high quality and scarcity are hard currencies. Collectors are eager for top-tier lots with perfect condition, clear provenance, and exquisite craftsmanship, willing to pay high premiums for them. Secondly, the return of traditional culture and aesthetic enhancement have driven the value return of scholar's art. With the rise of traditional Chinese studies, scholar's objects, as important carriers of Chinese traditional culture, are increasingly valued for their cultural connotations and artistic value. Thirdly, the increasing scarcity of high-quality jade resources such as Hetian jade seed material also provides solid support for its market value. Against the backdrop of non-renewable resources, the value preservation and appreciation attributes of high-quality jade are becoming increasingly prominent.
Expert Commentary:
Professor Wang Ming, a renowned jade appraisal expert and Vice Chairman of the Jade Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics, stated in an interview: “The jade and scholar's objects special session at this Xiling Yinshe autumn auction performed remarkably well, especially the transaction prices of several Qing Dynasty imperial jade pieces and high-quality Hetian jade seed materials, reflecting the market's strong confidence in top-tier jade art. This is not only a reflection of the art itself but also an acknowledgment and inheritance of excellent traditional Chinese culture. In the coming years, we expect high-quality, culturally rich jade and scholar's objects to remain market hotspots, with their value expected to continue to grow steadily. However, collectors still need to focus on authenticity identification and condition assessment when investing.”
Li Hua, a senior art market analyst, also pointed out: “The results of this auction indicate that despite global economic uncertainties, the Chinese art market, especially the traditional art sector with deep cultural heritage, has shown strong resilience and risk resistance. Xiling Yinshe, as a top domestic auction house, provides confidence to collectors through its professional academic support and strict lot selection standards. It is expected that in the future, scholar's objects with unique cultural value and historical heritage will continue to be the focus of market pursuit.”
Overall, the successful conclusion of the Xiling Yinshe 2026 Autumn Auction not only injected new vitality into the art market but also pointed the direction for the future development of jade and scholar's objects art, foreshadowing a stable and promising market outlook.