【Hong Kong, October 28, 2026】Sotheby's Autumn 2026 Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sale of US$285 million, exceeding the pre-sale high estimate by 15%, with a sell-through rate of 88%. This once again demonstrates the strong resilience of the global art market. Among them, the highly anticipated Ancient Jade special sale performed exceptionally well, led by a Spring and Autumn period 'Grain-Patterned Jade Bi', setting the highest transaction record for this category in the past five years and attracting widespread market attention.

The star lot of this auction, a Spring and Autumn period 'Grain-Patterned Jade Bi' with a diameter of 22 cm, was finally hammered down at an astonishing US$28 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of US$12 million to US$18 million, representing an increase of 55.5% to 133.3%. According to Mr. Nicolas Chow, Chairman of Sotheby's Asia, the jade bi underwent over 30 rounds of fierce bidding and was ultimately acquired by an anonymous Asian private collector. This jade bi is exquisitely crafted with warm jade, full and powerful grain patterns, and is perfectly preserved, undoubtedly a masterpiece among ancient jades.

In addition to the 'Grain-Patterned Jade Bi', several other ancient jade pieces also performed well. A Han Dynasty 'Chilong Dragon-Patterned Jade Belt Hook' sold for US$3.5 million, 20% higher than its pre-sale high estimate; a Qianlong period (Qing Dynasty) 'White Jade Carved Taotie-Patterned Square Vase' sold for US$6.8 million, with the transaction price in the upper-middle range of its estimate. Overall, the Ancient Jade special sale achieved a total of US$62 million, with a sell-through rate as high as 95%, fully illustrating the scarcity and collection value of high-end ancient jades in the market.

Market Analysis and Trend Judgment:

The success of this Sotheby's Autumn Auction, especially the outstanding performance of ancient jade bi, once again confirms the following market trends:

  • Significant Premium for Scarce Masterpieces: There is strong demand in the market for ancient jades that are well-preserved, have clear provenance, and possess high artistic value. When museum-quality treasures appear, collectors eagerly compete, and prices often far exceed expectations.

  • Strengthened Dominance of Asian Collectors: Many high-priced jade pieces in this auction were acquired by Asian collectors, demonstrating the deep interest and strong purchasing power of collectors in the Asian region, especially Greater China, for traditional cultural artworks.

  • Return of Cultural Value: With the gradual recovery of the global economy and the enhancement of cultural confidence, artworks with profound historical and cultural connotations are increasingly valued, balancing both investment and cultural attributes.

  • Accelerated Integration of Online and Offline: While high-priced lots are still primarily sold through live bidding, online bidding participation continues to increase, broadening the buyer base and bringing new vitality to the market.


Expert Commentary:

Professor Li Ming, a renowned jade appraisal expert and Vice President of the Jade Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics, stated: "The transaction price of this Spring and Autumn Grain-Patterned Jade Bi not only set a new auction record for similar jade pieces, but more importantly, it sent a clear signal to the market: the value of high-quality ancient jades, especially masterpieces with historical and cultural research value, has not been fully explored. In the coming years, we expect the ancient jade market to continue to grow steadily, with high-ancient jades from the Warring States and Han dynasties, and imperial jades from the Qing Dynasty, remaining the focus of collectors' pursuit."

Mr. Zhang Hua, a senior art market analyst, also pointed out: "Although there are uncertainties in the global economic environment, art as an alternative investment asset is increasingly demonstrating its risk resistance and potential for value preservation and appreciation. The success of this Sotheby's Autumn Auction, particularly the strong performance of ancient jades, undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the entire art market, signaling an active collecting season ahead."

Looking ahead, with more exquisite ancient jade pieces entering the market and collectors' deepening understanding of the cultural connotations of jade, the ancient jade sector is expected to usher in a new round of value revaluation. This Sotheby's Autumn Auction undoubtedly brought a successful close to the 2026 art market and set a positive tone for the market trends in 2027.