【Beijing, May 15, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated “Jijin Yicui – Ancient Jadeware Special Session” performing exceptionally well. The total transaction volume reached RMB 185 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92%, once again affirming the strong collecting demand and investment potential of the ancient jadeware market.
This auction presented a total of 120 exquisite ancient jade pieces, covering various treasures from the Neolithic period to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, several heavyweight lots fetched prices far exceeding their estimates, becoming the focus of the entire sale. A “Western Zhou Jade Huang” was hammered at RMB 28 million, an increase of 120% from its lowest estimate, setting a new auction record for Western Zhou jade huang in recent years. This jade huang features exquisite craftsmanship and a warm, lustrous texture, with its historical, cultural, and artistic value highly recognized by collectors. Another “Warring States White Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant” sold for RMB 15 million, with a premium rate of 87%, demonstrating the unique charm and scarcity of jadeware from the Warring States period.
In addition, a “Song Dynasty Celadon Jade Auspicious Beast Ornament” was successfully acquired for RMB 8.5 million, an increase of 65% from its estimate. This piece features a simple and elegant form with vivid carving, reflecting the refined style of Song dynasty jade carving art. Overall, the average premium rate for this auction reached 45%, significantly higher than the market average, reflecting collectors' pursuit of exquisite ancient jadeware.
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry journalist and jade market analyst, pointed out: “The success of this Guardian Spring Auction's ancient jadeware special session is not accidental. In recent years, with the continuous development of China's economy and the enhancement of cultural confidence, more and more high-net-worth individuals have turned their attention to ancient artworks with profound historical and cultural heritage. As an important carrier of Chinese civilization, ancient jadeware, with its unique artistic charm, scarcity, and value preservation and appreciation attributes, has become a popular segment in the collecting world.”
Mr. Li Ming further analyzed: “From the transaction data, it is evident that there is strong demand for high-quality, clearly sourced, and well-preserved ancient jadeware. Especially those exquisite pieces with clear dating, superb craftsmanship, and unique cultural connotations often fetch surprisingly high prices. In the coming years, we expect the ancient jade market to maintain steady growth, particularly for treasures with academic research value and museum-level collection potential, whose value will continue to be explored and recognized.”
Expert Commentary and Market Opinions:
Professor Wang, President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, stated in an interview: “The results of this Guardian Spring Auction are encouraging. It not only demonstrates the market vitality of ancient jadeware but also reflects collectors' deep understanding and pursuit of jade culture. The successful sale of the Western Zhou Jade Huang and the Warring States Dragon-shaped Pendant once again proves the scarcity and irreplicability of high-ancient jade. For collectors, investing in ancient jadeware requires professional insight and profound knowledge, and even more attention to authenticity identification and condition maintenance.”
An anonymous senior collector also commented: “I have always followed the ancient jade market, and Guardian's performance this time exceeded my expectations. The market never lacks buyers for truly good pieces. I believe that the value of ancient jadeware will become increasingly prominent in the future, especially those unique pieces with clear provenance and exquisite craftsmanship, which will become the focus of competition among collectors.”
In summary, the success of China Guardian's 2026 Spring Auction's ancient jadeware special session has injected new vitality into the entire art market. In the current global economic climate, ancient jadeware, as an asset with both cultural heritage and investment attributes, will continue to have its long-term value verified and recognized by the market.