BEIJING, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Spring Auction recently concluded with remarkable success, particularly in the “Gems of Jade – Important Ancient Jade” specialist sale. This session’s outstanding performance once again confirmed the strong rebound in the high-end ancient jade market. The total sales for this specialist sale reached an impressive RMB 285 million, with a sell-through rate of 92.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations and demonstrating collectors’ sustained demand for exquisite ancient jades.
The sale featured 80 meticulously selected ancient jade pieces, spanning various important periods from the Neolithic age to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, an “Early Western Zhou Dynasty Celadon Jade Dragon-motif Huang” became the highlight of the auction due to its rare form, exquisite craftsmanship, and clear provenance. After multiple rounds of intense bidding, it was finally hammered at a high price of RMB 58 million, far surpassing its estimate of RMB 35 million, with a premium rate of 65.7%. Another standout, a “Han Dynasty White Jade Bixie,” also performed exceptionally well, selling for RMB 32 million, an increase of 60% over its RMB 20 million estimate. Overall, the average price per lot in this ancient jade specialist sale reached RMB 3.5625 million, an increase of approximately 15% compared to the same period last year, fully reflecting the market's recognition of high-quality, rare ancient jades.
Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of Poly's ancient jade specialist sale is not accidental. In recent years, with the gradual stabilization of the global economic situation and the increasing maturity of art investment concepts, high-net-worth individuals have shown growing demand for art pieces with historical and cultural value and scarcity. As an important carrier of Chinese civilization, ancient jade, with its unique artistic charm and profound cultural heritage, has become an excellent choice for hedging against inflation and preserving and increasing wealth. The auction data indicates that the market has shown immense enthusiasm for ancient jades with excellent condition, clear provenance, and rich cultural connotations. In the coming years, we expect the high-end ancient jade market to continue its steady growth, especially for unique and exquisite pieces with significant historical and artistic value, which still have considerable room for price appreciation.”
Expert Commentary and Market Perspectives:
Professor Wang, a renowned jade authentication expert, stated in an interview: “The selling price of the Western Zhou celadon jade dragon-motif huang in this auction is exhilarating. This is not only an affirmation of its artistic value but also a promotion of the study of early Chinese jade culture. The craftsmanship and historical information of this piece meet extremely high standards, and its high price is a reflection of market rationality and value discovery. At the same time, we also observe that some mid-priced ancient jade pieces with local characteristics or specific cultural backgrounds have attracted collectors' attention, indicating that the market is developing towards diversification and specialization.”
A senior collector, who wished to remain anonymous, commented: “I have followed the ancient jade market for many years, and the performance of ancient jades in this Poly Spring Sale indeed exceeded my expectations. Especially for lots authenticated by authoritative institutions and with clear provenance records, the competition was exceptionally fierce. This indicates that collectors are more cautious and professional in their investment decisions, with higher demands for the authenticity, condition, and cultural value of the items. I believe that with the release of more high-quality items, the ancient jade market will usher in a more prosperous period.”
In conclusion, the brilliant achievements of Poly 2026 Spring Auction's ancient jade specialist sale have not only injected strong confidence into the auction market but also pointed out the direction for ancient jade collection and investment. In the future, exquisite ancient jades with profound cultural connotations, superb craftsmanship, and clear provenance will undoubtedly continue to be the focus of collectors' pursuit.