Hangzhou, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Xiling Yinshe 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The “Jijin Leshi – Ancient Jade Session” performed exceptionally well, achieving a total transaction value of RMB 185 million, with an impressive 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 ancient jade market but also signaled a gradual recovery in the high-end ancient jade collecting segment.
The session presented 125 lots, covering various jade artifacts from the Neolithic Age to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Among them, high-ancient jades stood out, with several pieces fetching prices far exceeding their estimates, becoming the focus of the auction. The leading lot, a “Late Western Zhou Dynasty Celadon Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant,” with its warm jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and unique form, ultimately hammered at RMB 38 million, nearly 40% higher than its estimate (RMB 22-28 million), demonstrating the scarcity and collection value of top-tier high-ancient jades in the market.
Another highly anticipated piece, a “Warring States Period White Jade Grain-patterned Bi Disc,” sold for RMB 25 million, an increase of 25% to 66% compared to its estimate of RMB 15-20 million. Additionally, a “Han Dynasty Chicken-Bone White Jade Belt Hook” also fetched RMB 12 million, exceeding its upper estimate by 30%. These high-priced transactions all shared characteristics such as clear provenance, perfect condition, and exquisite craftsmanship, reaffirming the strong market demand for fine ancient jades.
Overall, the average transaction price per lot in this ancient jade session reached RMB 1.48 million, an increase of approximately 55.8% compared to the average transaction price of RMB 0.95 million in Xiling Yinshe's ancient jade session during the same period last year. This significant growth reflects the gradual recovery of market confidence and collectors' re-evaluation of the value of ancient jade collections.
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:
Mr. Zhang Ming, Deputy General Manager of Xiling Yinshe Auction Co., Ltd. and a senior jade appraisal expert, stated in an interview: “The success of this ancient jade session is mainly due to two factors: first, the gradual stabilization of the global economy and a rebound in investment enthusiasm among high-net-worth individuals; second, the consistently strong market demand for ancient jade masterpieces with genuine historical, cultural, and aesthetic value. Especially high-ancient jades, their non-renewable nature, unique historical information, and cultural connotations give them an irreplaceable position in the art market.”
Mr. Zhang further pointed out: “From the results of this auction, the future ancient jade market will show a 'two-tier' trend. On one hand, top-tier high-ancient jades with perfect condition, clear provenance, and exquisite craftsmanship will continue to maintain strong prices or even increase; on the other hand, ordinary or poorly conditioned ancient jades may still perform modestly in the market. Collectors should pay more attention to the cultural value, artistic value, and rarity of jade artifacts when making selections.”
Ms. Li Hua, a senior art market analyst, also commented on the auction results: “As one of the top auction houses in China, Xiling Yinshe's selection criteria and academic background provide great confidence to collectors. The success of this ancient jade session is not only a victory for Xiling Yinshe but also a positive signal for the entire ancient jade market. It indicates that after a period of adjustment, the ancient jade collecting market is returning to rationality and gradually developing towards refinement and academic specialization. It is expected that the high-end ancient jade segment will maintain steady growth in the next 2-3 years.”
The resounding success of the Xiling Yinshe 2026 Spring Auction's ancient jade session undoubtedly paints a hopeful picture for the future of the ancient jade market. With the release of more exquisite ancient jades and the continuous improvement of collectors' appreciation levels, the spring for ancient jade collecting may truly be arriving.