【Hangzhou, May 18, 2026】The highly anticipated Xiling Yinshe 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction value of this spring auction reached RMB 1.28 billion, with a high sell-through rate of 89.5%, indicating that the art market, after a period of adjustment, is gradually returning to rationality and vitality. Among them, the contemporary jade carving sector performed particularly brilliantly, with a total transaction value exceeding RMB 260 million and a sell-through rate as high as 93.2%, becoming the biggest highlight of this auction.
The contemporary jade carving special session showcased a total of 120 exquisite pieces, covering various materials such as Hetian jade, jadeite, and Nanhong agate, bringing together the ingenious works of many contemporary jade carving masters. Among them, a Hetian jade seed material 'Auspicious Beast' ornament created by national-level jade carving master Wang, with its delicate jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious meaning, started bidding at RMB 8 million. After multiple rounds of fierce bidding, it finally hammered at RMB 28.5 million, with a premium rate as high as 256%, setting the highest transaction record for a single contemporary jade carving piece in this spring auction. Another jadeite 'Bamboo for Peace' pendant designed by emerging young jade carver Li, with its unique modern aesthetics and ingenious conception, sold for RMB 3.8 million, an increase of 110% over the estimated price, demonstrating the market's recognition of innovative jade carving works.
From the overall data, the average premium rate of the contemporary jade carving sector in this auction was 125%, an increase of 15 percentage points compared to the same period last year, indicating that the market's pursuit of high-quality contemporary jade carvings continues to heat up. In particular, works by renowned masters and those with unique artistic styles performed far beyond market expectations. In addition, works by some promising young and middle-aged jade carvers also attracted collectors' favor, with stable and rising transaction prices.
Mr. Lu, Executive Director and General Manager of Xiling Yinshe Auction Co., Ltd., stated in an interview: “The excellent performance of the contemporary jade carving sector in this spring auction once again confirms the strong vitality of traditional Chinese culture in the context of contemporary art. We see that collectors' aesthetic standards for jade carving works are increasingly high, not only focusing on the rarity of the material but also on the artistry, cultural connotation, and the author's creative philosophy. In the future, we will continue to be committed to discovering more excellent contemporary jade carving artists and their works, providing the market with more high-quality collection options.”
Professor Zhang, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The success of contemporary jade carving at this Xiling Yinshe spring auction is the result of multiple factors. Firstly, the gradual recovery of the economic environment has provided a good foundation for the art market; secondly, Xiling Yinshe, as a top domestic auction platform, has won the trust of collectors with its professional academic positioning and strict selection standards for auction items; most importantly, contemporary jade carving art itself is constantly developing and innovating, and a group of excellent works combining traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics has emerged. These works not only have ornamental value but also carry profound cultural heritage and investment potential. It is expected that in the next few years, the contemporary jade carving market will continue to maintain a steady growth trend, especially for works by renowned artists with independent artistic styles and market recognition, whose value will continue to be discovered and enhanced by the market.”
However, Professor Zhang also reminded collectors to remain rational when investing in contemporary jade carvings. He suggested that collectors should focus on the naturalness of the jade material, the exquisiteness of the carving, the artistry of the work, and the reputation and potential of the author, avoiding blind following, in order to obtain a better collection experience and investment return.