Hangzhou, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Xiling Yinshe 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the 'Jijin Leshi · Ancient Jade Session' performing exceptionally well. The total transaction value reached RMB 185 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. The success of this auction not only injected a strong boost into the long-sluggish ancient jade market but also signaled a gradual recovery in the high-end ancient jade collecting sector.
This ancient jade session featured a total of 125 exquisite pieces, covering various jade artifacts from the Neolithic period to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, high-ancient jades were the absolute highlight of the auction. A 'Jade Pig Dragon' from the Hongshan culture fetched RMB 38 million, far surpassing its estimated price of RMB 18 million, representing a staggering increase of 111%. Another late Shang Dynasty 'Celadon Jade Cong with Taotie Mask' also sold for a high price of RMB 26.5 million, an increase of 76.7% compared to its estimated price of RMB 15 million. In addition, a Warring States period 'Jade Bi with Grain Pattern' sold for RMB 15.8 million, also performing remarkably well.
Even the mid-to-low-end ancient jade market showed positive signs. For instance, a batch of small artifacts such as jade belt hooks and pendants from the Han to Tang dynasties saw an average transaction price increase of approximately 15% compared to the same period last year, indicating that collectors' interest in entry-level ancient jades is gradually recovering. Overall, the average transaction price per piece in this ancient jade session reached RMB 1.48 million, an increase of 55.8% compared to the average transaction price per piece of RMB 0.95 million in the 2025 autumn auction, fully reflecting a significant boost in market confidence.
Zhang Ming, Deputy General Manager of Xiling Yinshe Auction Co., Ltd. and Head of the Ancient Jade Department, stated: "The success of this ancient jade session is primarily due to our strict control over the quality of the lots and in-depth academic research. Every ancient jade offered for sale has undergone multi-party expert appraisal and detailed verification to ensure its historical and artistic value. Secondly, we have also observed that after several years of adjustment, the market demand for truly rare, well-preserved, and well-documented high-ancient jades remains strong. Especially those artifacts with clear cultural symbols and historical significance are being re-recognized and re-evaluated for their value."
Mr. Li Huaqiang, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out in an interview: "The performance of Xiling Yinshe's ancient jade session in this spring auction is a microcosm of the current structural adjustment in the art market. Funds are accelerating their flow towards high-end artworks that possess scarcity, profound cultural connotations, and good liquidity. High-ancient jades, especially exquisite pieces from the Hongshan, Liangzhu, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, are becoming important choices for capital preservation and value investment due to their non-renewable nature and unique historical and artistic value. In the coming years, we expect the high-ancient jade market to continue to grow steadily, but collectors still need to be wary of the risk of fakes and focus on collectibles with clear provenance and first-class condition."
From a market trend perspective, this auction further confirmed that 'refinement' and 'academic rigor' are important development directions for the future ancient jade collecting market. Collectors are increasingly valuing the cultural heritage and historical stories behind the artifacts, in addition to their aesthetic value. Furthermore, the rise of a younger generation of collectors has brought new vitality and aesthetic perspectives to the ancient jade market. It is foreseeable that with the gradual economic recovery and the enhancement of cultural confidence, the Chinese ancient jade market will usher in a healthier and more sustainable development stage.