【Hong Kong, November 18, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong's Autumn 2026 auction, which concluded successfully yesterday, once again demonstrated the resilience and vitality of the high-end art market. Led by the 'Jadeite Splendor: A Collection of Ancient Jade Pendants' special sale, the total auction revenue reached an impressive $285 million, significantly exceeding the pre-sale estimate of $220 million, with an overall sell-through rate of 88%. The ancient jade pendant section, in particular, performed exceptionally well, achieving a 95% sell-through rate, with several exquisite pieces setting new records.
The undisputed highlight of the auction was Lot 1008, a 'Western Han White Jade Pendant with Dragon and Phoenix Motif.' This perfectly preserved and exquisitely carved jade pendant ultimately fetched a staggering $18.5 million, far surpassing its estimate of $8-12 million, with a premium rate of 54.17%. According to Christie's Asia Vice Chairman and International Director of Chinese Art, the bidding for this jade pendant was exceptionally fierce, eventually won by an anonymous Asian collector via telephone, underscoring the rarity and collectible value of top-tier ancient jade. Another highly anticipated piece, a 'Shang Dynasty Celadon Jade Beast Mask H-shaped Pendant,' sold for $6.2 million, an increase of 24% compared to its $3-5 million estimate. Overall, the ancient jade pendant section featured 50 lots, achieving a total of $68 million in sales, with an average price per lot of $1.36 million. This represents a 15% increase in sales compared to the ancient jade section of the Autumn 2025 auction, indicating sustained strong demand for high-quality ancient jade.
Market analyst Mr. Li Ming commented, "The results of this Christie's autumn auction, especially the robust performance of the ancient jade segment, have injected a strong dose of confidence into the currently somewhat volatile global art market. Amid increasing macroeconomic uncertainties, top-tier ancient jade, which possesses rarity, historical value, and artistic merit, is increasingly demonstrating its safe-haven properties and long-term investment value. The buyer demographic also shows a trend towards diversification, with institutions and private collectors from Europe and America showing keen interest in addition to traditional Asian collectors. This indicates that the awareness and acceptance of ancient jade are gradually increasing worldwide."
Professor Wang, a senior jade connoisseur, remarked, "The success of this auction lies not only in the appearance of high-priced lots but also in the steady performance of pieces in the mid-to-low price range, which generally achieved high sell-through rates. This suggests that the market is not solely chasing 'sky-high' prices but generally favors ancient jade with good provenance, intact condition, and exquisite craftsmanship. Particularly, jade pendants with clear dating evidence and documented records are more recognized by the market. In the coming years, we anticipate the ancient jade market will continue to grow steadily, with prices for exquisite pieces expected to climb further, while general collectors should also pay attention to potential entry-level collectibles."
Looking ahead, as the global economy gradually recovers and art investment concepts mature, ancient jade, as a treasure of Chinese civilization, will attract the attention of more international collectors due to its unique cultural value and artistic charm. The success of this Christie's autumn auction undoubtedly sets a positive tone for the 2027 art market, signaling the beginning of a new collecting cycle full of opportunities.