【Hangzhou, November 15, 2026】The highly anticipated Xiling Yinshe 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday. This autumn auction particularly shone in its “Jade and Scholar's Objects” specialist sale, with numerous exquisite pieces achieving remarkable results. This not only highlights the market's continued pursuit of high-quality jade and scholar's objects but also indicates that the art collecting market is gradually emerging from its adjustment period, showing a steady recovery trend.
This autumn auction achieved a total turnover of RMB 385 million, with an overall sell-through rate of 82.5%. Among them, the “Radiant Jade – Jade and Scholar's Objects Specialist Sale” stood out as a core highlight, featuring 120 lots. Ultimately, 108 pieces were sold, achieving a high sell-through rate of 90% and a total turnover exceeding RMB 120 million. This represents a 15% increase compared to the same specialist sale in the previous year, demonstrating strong collector interest and purchasing power in the jade and scholar's objects sector.
Featured Lots: Ancient Jade and Premium Hetian Jade Lead the Way
In this jade and scholar's objects specialist sale, a “Hongshan Culture Jade Pig Dragon” with an estimated price of RMB 8 million to RMB 12 million was hammered at RMB 18.5 million. After commission, the final transaction price reached RMB 21.275 million, an impressive premium rate of 77.3%, making it the highest-priced lot of the sale. This jade pig dragon, with its ancient form, warm jade quality, and clear provenance, once again confirmed the market's recognition of rare ancient jade.
Another highly anticipated piece, a “Qianlong Period, Qing Dynasty, Hetian Jade Seed Carved Auspicious Beast Brush Pot,” sold for RMB 9.5 million, significantly exceeding its estimated range of RMB 5 million to RMB 7 million. This brush pot features exquisite jade quality and masterful carving, with the auspicious beasts depicted lifelike, reflecting the pinnacle of court jade craftsmanship during the Qianlong era. Additionally, a set of “Ming Dynasty White Jade Carved Scholar's Gathering Ornaments” also sold for RMB 4.8 million, showcasing the unique charm of scholar's jade carvings.
Market Analysis: Aesthetic Return and Value Discovery Coexist
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of this Xiling Yinshe autumn auction, especially the outstanding performance of the jade and scholar's objects specialist sale, conveys several key signals. Firstly, collectors are more rational in their judgment of art value, focusing more on the cultural connotations, rarity, and clear provenance of the lots. Secondly, the value of ancient jade and top-grade Hetian jade seeds is being rediscovered and affirmed; their non-renewable nature and profound historical and cultural heritage are crucial guarantees for their preservation and appreciation. Thirdly, with the gradual stabilization of the economic situation, confidence in the high-end art collecting market is recovering, and funds that were previously on the sidelines are beginning to re-enter the market.”
Ms. Zhang Hua, General Manager of Xiling Yinshe Auction, stated: “We are pleased to see a more diversified buyer structure in this autumn auction, with not only seasoned collectors but also many new collectors actively participating, injecting new vitality into the market. Particularly in the jade and scholar's objects sector, we carefully selected a batch of exquisite pieces that possess both artistic value and historical significance, aiming to guide collectors back to the pursuit of jade's intrinsic beauty and cultural connotations. In the future market, we expect to see greater emphasis on the cultural added value and academic research value of the lots.”
Trend Outlook: Refinement, Academic Focus, and Internationalization
Looking ahead, the jade and scholar's objects market will exhibit trends of refinement, academic focus, and internationalization. Collectors will be more stringent in their selection of lots, seeking top-tier collectibles that excel in material, craftsmanship, and cultural connotation. Concurrently, with the deepening of academic research, the historical, cultural, and artistic value of jade and scholar's objects will be more comprehensively elucidated, attracting more professionals and institutions. Furthermore, the international influence of traditional Chinese jade culture is growing, and in the future, it may attract more international collectors, further broadening the market's depth and breadth.
Overall, the successful staging of the Xiling Yinshe 2026 Autumn Auction has injected a strong boost into the art market. The outstanding performance of the jade and scholar's objects sector, in particular, has sent positive signals to the industry. Driven by a return to rationality and value discovery, the Chinese art market is poised to enter a healthier and more sustainable development phase.