【Hong Kong, November 20, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Autumn Auctions 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of HKD 1.25 billion, exceeding the pre-sale high estimate by 15%, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82%. The 'Chinese Works of Art' specialist sale performed exceptionally well, realizing HKD 380 million. Among these, jade carvings, particularly Hetian jade 'ba jian' (hand-held pieces), emerged as the biggest highlight of the auction, with strong market performance signaling a new round of recovery in the jade collecting market.
The star lot of this auction, a finely carved white jade 'Taishi Shaoshi' (Grand Tutor and Young Tutor) 'ba jian' from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, ultimately fetched an astonishing HKD 28 million, far surpassing its estimate of HKD 15 million, with a premium rate of 86.7%. This 'ba jian' boasts exquisite jade quality, delicate carving, and auspicious symbolism. After multiple rounds of intense bidding, it was acquired by an Asian private collector. Additionally, another Qing Dynasty yellow jade 'Ruishou Chengxiang' (Auspicious Beasts Presenting Good Fortune) 'ba jian' sold for HKD 12.5 million, an increase of 56.3% compared to its estimate of HKD 8 million. According to statistics, a total of 35 Hetian jade 'ba jian' were offered in this autumn sale, with 29 sold, achieving a high sell-through rate of 82.8% and a total sales value of HKD 95 million, accounting for nearly a quarter of the 'Chinese Works of Art' sale's total.
Mr. Francis Chan, President of Christie's Asia and International Director of Chinese Works of Art, stated after the auction: “The success of this autumn sale, especially the robust performance of Hetian jade 'ba jian', fully demonstrates collectors' fervent pursuit of top-tier jade artworks and a significant rebound in market confidence. We have observed that high-quality, clearly sourced, and exquisitely crafted Hetian jade pieces exhibit immense appeal among both traditional and emerging collector groups.”
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “In recent years, despite global economic fluctuations, the top-tier art market, particularly the jade segment within traditional Chinese art, has increasingly demonstrated its resilience and potential for value preservation and appreciation. The data from this Christie's autumn sale indicates strong demand for rare, high-quality Hetian jade 'ba jian', with prices showing a steady upward trend. Particularly, imperial-grade or well-documented Hetian jade masterpieces from the Qing Dynasty are being re-evaluated by the market and pushed to new heights.”
From a market trend perspective, this auction once again confirmed several key points: Firstly, the rarity and translucency of the jade material are core factors determining the value of Hetian jade 'ba jian'; secondly, the exquisite craftsmanship and cultural connotation of the subject matter are crucial for the artwork's artistic value and market recognition; finally, clear provenance and documented information can significantly enhance the added value of the lot. It is anticipated that in the coming years, with China's sustained economic development and strengthening cultural confidence, the Hetian jade collecting market will remain active, and prices for premium Hetian jade 'ba jian' are expected to climb further, becoming a popular choice in the high-end art investment sector. However, investors still need to be wary of fakes and inferior products in the market, and it is advisable to collect and invest through reputable channels and seek assistance from professional appraisal institutions.