【Beijing, November 20, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the 'Auspicious Metal and Precious Stone – Important High-Ancient Jade and Antique Curios' special session performing exceptionally well. The total transaction volume reached RMB 285 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. The success of this auction not only injected a strong boost into the long-sluggish art market but also signals new development opportunities for the high-ancient jade sector.
This special session featured 120 exquisite items, with 8 lots exceeding the RMB 10 million mark. The leading lot, a Warring States period 'Dragon and Phoenix Pattern Green Jade Bi', estimated at RMB 38 million to 50 million, finally hammered at RMB 62 million. Including commission, the final transaction price reached an astonishing RMB 71.3 million, setting a new auction record for a single piece of high-ancient jade in the past five years. This jade bi, with its warm texture, exquisite craftsmanship, and intricate yet fluid patterns, showcased the superb jade carving skills of the Warring States period, attracting fierce bidding from collectors both on-site and online. Another highly anticipated Western Han Dynasty 'White Jade Belt Hook' sold for RMB 18.5 million, a 35% premium over its upper estimate, demonstrating strong market demand for exquisite Han Dynasty jade.
In terms of data, the total transaction volume of this autumn auction increased by 25% compared to the same period last year, and the sell-through rate also improved by nearly 10 percentage points. Notably, the average premium rate for the high-ancient jade sector reached 28%, indicating a recovery in collector confidence in this area. Museum-quality pieces with perfect condition and clear provenance performed particularly well.
Mr. Zhang Ming, head of China Guardian's Jade Department, stated: "The success of this autumn auction, especially the outstanding performance of high-ancient jade, reflects the market's return to scarcity and artistic value. In the current global economic climate, high-quality artworks, especially high-ancient jade with profound cultural heritage and historical value, are becoming an important choice for asset allocation. We have observed a growing interest in high-ancient jade among new collectors, who prioritize the academic value and aesthetic appeal of the collection over mere investment returns."
Professor Li Hua, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: "The data from this Guardian autumn auction is encouraging. After several years of adjustment, the high-ancient jade market is gradually emerging from its slump. Most of the high-premium lots in this auction possessed the characteristics of 'rare, exquisite, and beautiful' – rarity, superb craftsmanship, and high aesthetic value. This indicates that the market is returning to rationality, and collectors are paying more attention to the intrinsic value of the collection. It is expected that the high-ancient jade market will maintain steady growth in the next two years, especially for exquisite pieces from the Warring States and Han Dynasties, which still have significant appreciation potential. At the same time, we should also be wary of the risks that excessive market enthusiasm may bring, and urge collectors to maintain a cautious attitude, focusing on authenticity identification and provenance verification."
The success of China Guardian's autumn auction undoubtedly lays a solid foundation for the upcoming 2027 spring auction and sends a positive signal to the entire art market. High-ancient jade, as a treasure of Chinese civilization, is having its market and cultural value re-examined and affirmed.