【Beijing, May 18, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total transaction volume of RMB 2.85 billion, exceeding market expectations. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Contemporary Jade Carvings' special session performed exceptionally well, with a total transaction volume surpassing RMB 350 million and a remarkable sell-through rate of 92.5%, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This demonstrates strong demand and investment enthusiasm for high-quality contemporary jade carvings in the market.
This contemporary jade carvings session featured 120 exquisite pieces, covering various materials such as white jade, nephrite, and ink jade. The works exhibited diverse styles, including both masterful interpretations of traditional themes and innovative modern creations. Notably, a white jade ornament titled 'Auspicious Beasts Bringing Good Fortune' by national-level jade carving master Wang XX, with its warm jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism, fetched a high price of RMB 38 million after multiple rounds of intense bidding. This significantly exceeded its pre-sale estimate of RMB 25 million, making it the highest-priced lot of the session, with a remarkable increase of 52%. Another nephrite pendant titled 'Mountain and Water Serenity' designed by emerging jade artist Li XX, with its unique modern aesthetic and delicate composition, sold for RMB 8.5 million, a 30% increase from its estimate, indicating the market's recognition of new talents.
From a holistic perspective, the average price per lot in this contemporary jade carvings session reached RMB 2.916 million, an increase of approximately 10% compared to the same period last year. The sell-through rate for mid-to-high-end lots (estimated between RMB 5 million and RMB 20 million) was close to 100%, and most sold at a premium, indicating collectors' pursuit of exquisite jade carvings that possess both rarity and artistic value. Entry-level lots estimated below RMB 1 million also maintained a sell-through rate of over 85%, demonstrating the stability of the market foundation.
Mr. Zhang, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and General Manager of the Jade and Crafts Department, stated in an interview: "The outstanding performance of the contemporary jade carvings segment in this spring auction is the result of multiple converging factors. Firstly, the national advocacy for the revival of traditional culture in recent years has enhanced public awareness and appreciation of jade culture. Secondly, with the gradual economic recovery after the pandemic, high-net-worth individuals' investment preferences have become more diversified. Artworks, especially contemporary jade carvings with potential for value preservation and appreciation, have become an important asset allocation option. Furthermore, jade artists, while inheriting traditional craftsmanship, continuously integrate modern design concepts, making their works more contemporary and collectible."
Market analysts believe that the contemporary jade carving market is experiencing a steady upward trend. On one hand, the increasing scarcity of high-quality jade materials like Hetian jade has driven up raw material costs, thereby supporting finished product prices. On the other hand, with the convenience of information dissemination, more excellent contemporary jade masters and their works are becoming widely known in the market, and their artistic and market values are gaining broader recognition. In the coming years, the contemporary jade carving market is expected to remain active, especially for exquisite pieces with renowned master backgrounds, unique themes, and superb craftsmanship, whose investment value will continue to stand out. However, the market is not without challenges. Experts caution that investors, when selecting contemporary jade carvings, still need to focus on the artistic quality of the work, the quality of the jade material, the reputation of the carver, and the integrity and provenance of the piece, to avoid blind following and invest rationally.
The success of this spring auction has undoubtedly injected new vitality into the Chinese art market, and the strong performance of the contemporary jade carving segment, in particular, indicates its increasingly important position in the future art investment landscape.