【Beijing, May 22, 2026】Poly Auction's recently concluded 2026 Spring Auction once again demonstrated the resilience and vitality of the Chinese art market with its outstanding performance. The total transaction value of this spring auction reached a staggering 1.85 billion RMB. While traditional sectors such as Chinese paintings and calligraphy, and ceramics and miscellaneous items performed steadily, the highly anticipated 'Exquisite Jade Rhyme – A Special Sale of Contemporary Chinese Master Jade Carvings' became the biggest highlight of the season, taking the lead with a transaction value of 780 million RMB and an impressive sell-through rate of 92%, far exceeding market expectations.
This jade carving special sale featured a total of 128 lots, with 11 of them achieving prices over 10 million RMB. The most striking piece was the 'Prosperous Lotus Pond' Hetian jade ornament created by national-level jade carving master Wang XX. With its exquisite craftsmanship, superior jade quality, and profound cultural connotations, the work finally sold for an astonishing 58 million RMB, a significant premium over its estimated range of 25 million to 35 million RMB, representing a staggering increase of 65.7%. Another piece, 'Auspicious Beasts Presenting Good Fortune' spinach jade screen carved by Master Li XX, also sold for 32 million RMB, an increase of 45.5% over its estimate. Overall, the average premium rate for this jade carving special sale reached 38%, indicating the market's high recognition of top-tier jade carving artworks.
Mr. Zhang, Senior Director of Poly Auction's Chinese Works of Art Department, stated in an interview: "The strong performance of master jade carvings in this spring auction is not only due to the scarcity and artistic value of the lots themselves but also reflects the current high demand for premium resources in the high-end art market. The economic recovery after the pandemic, coupled with the increasing importance placed by the affluent class on cultural and artistic investments, has jointly driven the prosperity of this sector. Especially those jade carving works that combine artistry, scarcity, and the aura of a master are being re-evaluated and affirmed by the market."
Market analysts believe that the boom in the jade carving market at this spring auction is not accidental. In recent years, with the resurgence of traditional Chinese culture, jade carving art, as an important carrier of Chinese civilization, has increasingly highlighted its collection and investment value. In particular, works by national and provincial-level jade carving masters, due to their long creation cycles, complex craftsmanship, rare jade materials, and irreplicability, have gradually become new favorites in the art investment field. Furthermore, the increasing awareness and acceptance of jade carving art among the younger generation of collectors have injected new vitality into the market.
Independent art market commentator Ms. Wang pointed out: "The success of Poly's jade carving special sale in this spring auction indicates that the high-end jade carving market will continue its upward trend in the coming years. When selecting jade carving works, collectors should not only focus on the quality of the jade material and the exquisiteness of the craftsmanship but also pay attention to the cultural connotation of the work and the artistic status of the creator. Works that can represent contemporary aesthetics, possess innovative spirit, and come from the hands of renowned masters will undoubtedly have greater collection potential. At the same time, we also see that the mid-to-low-end jade carving market still faces challenges, and the market differentiation trend will become more apparent."
Looking ahead, with the continuous development of the Chinese economy and the strengthening of cultural confidence, the jade carving art market is expected to usher in a broader development space. The success of Poly Auction's spring auction has undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the entire industry and pointed the way for collectors and investors.