Beijing, May 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction recently concluded with resounding success. As a highlight of this auction, the Jade Carving Artworks session performed exceptionally well, not only attracting fierce bidding from numerous collectors and institutions both domestically and internationally but also reaffirming the robust resilience and continuous growth potential of the high-end jade carving art market with a series of exciting transaction data.
This special session for jade carving artworks presented a total of 120 meticulously selected lots, covering a diverse range of categories from archaic jade to Ming and Qing dynasty jade, and contemporary master jade carvings. Ultimately, the total transaction value reached RMB 285 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 88.3%, significantly exceeding market expectations. Among them, a white jade carved 'Fu Shou Shuang Quan' (Blessings and Longevity) covered box from the Qing Qianlong period fetched RMB 38 million, surpassing its estimate (RMB 25 million-30 million) by over 26%, becoming the star lot of the entire session. Another piece, a Hetian jade pebble 'Mountain and Water Serenity' sculpture created by contemporary jade carving master Mr. Wang Dong, sold for RMB 15 million, an 87.5% increase from its estimate (RMB 8 million-12 million), fully demonstrating the market recognition of contemporary jade carving art.
From a sub-market perspective, high-quality Hetian jade pebble works remain a hot pursuit for collectors. In this auction, multiple Hetian jade pebbles and carved pieces were sold above their estimates, with an average increase of 35%. Particularly, Ming and Qing imperial jade wares with fine jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious meanings received widespread market recognition for their value stability and appreciation potential. Compared to the same period last year, the overall transaction value of jade carving artworks in this spring auction increased by 15%, and the sell-through rate also improved by 3 percentage points, indicating a significant rebound in market confidence.
Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of this Council International spring auction's jade carving session is not accidental. It reflects the increasing prominence of art as a hard asset for hedging against risks amidst current global economic uncertainties. Especially top-tier jade carving works that possess scarcity, artistry, and cultural value are highly recognized by the market for their long-term investment value. We observe that the collector structure is changing, with a significant increase in attention from younger generation collectors towards contemporary master jade carvings. They place more emphasis on the innovation, artistic expression, and cultural connotations of the works, which injects new vitality into the contemporary jade carving market.”
Ms. Wang Li, head of the Jade Department at Beijing Council International Auction House, stated: “We are very satisfied with the performance of this jade carving artwork session. The high sell-through rate and high premium rate clearly indicate that the demand for exquisite jade carvings remains strong. Looking ahead, we anticipate the following trends to continue: firstly, the scarcity of high-quality Hetian jade pebbles will further drive up their market prices; secondly, works by contemporary jade carving masters with distinct personal styles and innovative spirits will continue to be highly sought after; thirdly, ancient jade with profound cultural connotations and clear historical provenance, especially imperial-grade pieces, will remain the first choice for high-end collectors. At the same time, we will also pay more attention to the academic curation and cultural promotion of the lots, hoping to provide collectors with more valuable collection options.”
The success of the Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction's jade carving artwork session undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the entire art market, signaling that the high-end jade carving art market will continue to maintain steady growth in the foreseeable future, with its investment and collection value continuing to attract attention.