【Hong Kong, November 18, 2026】Sotheby's Autumn 2026 auction, which concluded yesterday, once again affirmed the resilience and vitality of the global art market with its outstanding sales performance and the establishment of multiple new records. The total sales for this autumn auction reached an impressive $285 million, significantly exceeding the pre-sale estimate of $220 million, with a sell-through rate of 88%. The archaic jade section, in particular, performed exceptionally well, becoming the biggest highlight of the sale.
Featured Lot: Early Warring States Period Green Jade Bi Sells for Astronomical Price
The centerpiece of this auction, an Early Warring States Period green jade bi with grain patterns (diameter 22.5 cm), estimated at $8 million to $12 million, ultimately sold for an astonishing $28.5 million, with a hammer price including premium reaching $34.2 million, a premium of 185% over its high estimate. This jade bi boasts perfect condition, warm jade quality, meticulously arranged grain patterns, and exquisite craftsmanship, making it a quintessential example of archaic jade from the Warring States Period. Its selling price not only set a new world auction record for similar jade artifacts but also became the highest-priced lot of this autumn sale.
Furthermore, another Western Han Dynasty white jade bi with dragon and phoenix motifs (diameter 18 cm), estimated at $3 million to $5 million, sold for $9.8 million, with a premium-inclusive price of $11.76 million, a 96% increase. Several other archaic jade pieces from the Spring and Autumn to Han dynasties, such as jade huang and jade cong, also sold for prices significantly exceeding their estimates, with an average premium rate exceeding 60%.
Market Analysis: Return to Value for Archaic Jades, Increased Collector Confidence
Mr. Zhang Ming, a senior auction industry journalist, pointed out: "The strong performance of the archaic jade section in this Sotheby's autumn auction undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the entire art market. The astronomical price achieved by the Warring States green jade bi, in particular, fully demonstrates the rarity and irreplicability of top-tier archaic jades, whose artistic and historical values are being re-evaluated and recognized by the market."
Ms. Li Hua, a jade market analyst, added: "In recent years, despite the complex and volatile global economic environment, high-quality, clearly sourced ancient artworks, especially archaic jades, have increasingly highlighted their safe-haven attributes and investment value. The auction results indicate that collectors' confidence in such treasures is significantly increasing, and market demand is robust. We have observed that new collector groups are also showing increased interest in archaic jades, focusing more on the cultural connotations and heritage value of the collections."
Trend Prediction: Archaic Jade Market to Continue Heating Up, Prices for Fine Pieces Expected to Reach New Highs
Looking ahead, the industry generally believes that the archaic jade market will continue to maintain an active trend. Mr. Kevin Ching, Chairman of Sotheby's Asia, stated: "We are full of confidence in the future market. The success of this auction, especially the excellent performance of archaic jades, indicates that the market is gradually moving out of the adjustment period of the past few years and entering a new upward channel. Rare, well-preserved, and well-provenanced fine archaic jades are expected to continue to climb in price in the coming years, even repeatedly setting new records."
The success of this Sotheby's autumn auction not only brought positive signals to the global art market but also once again demonstrated the unique charm and powerful influence of ancient Chinese artworks worldwide. As a treasure of Chinese civilization, the return and enhancement of the market value of archaic jades will undoubtedly attract more attention and investment.