Beijing, November 15, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total transaction value of RMB 1.28 billion and an impressive sell-through rate of 82.5%. This performance signifies a strong recovery trend in the art market, particularly in the jadeite sector. The autumn auction featured numerous highlights, with the 'Congealed Verdant Radiance – Fine Chinese Bi Yu Jade Specialist Sale' standing out. Several rare Bi Yu jade lots fetched prices significantly exceeding their estimates, becoming the focal points of the auction.
Undoubtedly, the star lot of this autumn auction was Lot 3008, a 'Qianlong Period, Qing Dynasty, Bi Yu Jade Carved 'Auspicious Dragon Offering Blessings' Square Pot'. This exquisitely shaped, finely textured, and masterfully carved Bi Yu jade pot ultimately sold for a high price of RMB 88 million, far surpassing its estimate of RMB 50 million, achieving a premium rate of 76%. Another highly anticipated lot, a 'Ming Dynasty Bi Yu Jade Carved Auspicious Beast Knob Seal', with its unique historical value and superb carving craftsmanship, soared from an estimate of RMB 12 million to a transaction price of RMB 28 million, an increase of 133%. Additionally, several small and medium-sized Bi Yu jade fine pieces, such as Hetian Bi Yu jade bracelets and ornaments, also performed well, with average transaction prices increasing by approximately 35% above their estimates and a sell-through rate close to 95%, indicating sustained market demand for high-quality Bi Yu jade.
Mr. Wang, Executive Director and General Manager of Council International Auction, stated in an interview: “The success of this autumn auction, especially the booming Bi Yu jade specialist sale, once again confirms the resilience and vitality of the Chinese art market. After several years of adjustment, we see that collectors’ confidence is gradually recovering, and there is strong demand for rare and artistic fine pieces. Bi Yu jade, as an important part of Chinese jade culture, with its warm and understated characteristics, and the increasing scarcity of high-quality raw materials in recent years, has made its investment and collection value increasingly prominent.”
Market analyst Li Ming pointed out that the outstanding performance of the Bi Yu jade sector is not accidental. On one hand, the gradual stabilization of the global economic environment provides a more stable foundation for art investment by high-net-worth individuals; on the other hand, with the revival of traditional Chinese culture, jade culture has received broader attention, especially Bi Yu jade, whose unique color and warm texture make it stand out in the collection market. At the same time, the increasing difficulty in mining high-quality Bi Yu jade raw materials and its scarcity have further driven up the market prices of fine Bi Yu jade. In the coming years, high-quality Bi Yu jade artworks with clear provenance and exquisite craftsmanship will continue to be a hot pursuit in the market.
Professor Zhang, a senior jade connoisseur, also highly praised the auction results. He commented: “The fine Bi Yu jade pieces in this Council International autumn auction, whether in terms of jade quality, carving, or cultural connotation, have reached a very high standard. Especially the Qianlong Bi Yu jade square pot, with its clear historical lineage and superb craftsmanship, it is entirely reasonable for it to fetch such a high price. This reflects the market's recognition of true artistic value, rather than blindly following trends. For collectors, choosing Bi Yu jade works with rarity, cultural heritage, and artistic value is undoubtedly a wise move.”
Looking ahead, with the continuous development of the Chinese economy and the strengthening of cultural confidence, the art market, especially the jade sector with its profound cultural heritage, is expected to usher in broader development opportunities. The success of Council International's autumn auction undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the upcoming 2027 spring auction, signaling the beginning of a vibrant new chapter in the art market.