【Hong Kong, May 18, 2026】Christie's, a leading global art auction house, successfully concluded its Spring 2026 auction recently. The highly anticipated 'Jade Elegance: Ancient Jade Pendants from Private Collections' special sale performed exceptionally well, achieving a total transaction value of HK$128 million, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92%. This once again confirms the strong collecting demand and investment potential in the ancient jade pendant market.
This special sale featured 85 carefully selected ancient jade pendants from private collections, spanning various periods from the Neolithic age to the Qing Dynasty, showcasing rich categories and exquisite craftsmanship. Among them, a 'Warring States Period White Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant,' estimated at HK$8 million to HK$12 million, fetched a high price of HK$28.5 million, becoming the highlight of the auction. The pendant, with its exquisite carving, natural patina, and excellent condition, was acquired by an anonymous Asian collector after multiple rounds of intense bidding. The final price represented a 256% increase from its lowest estimate. Another 'Han Dynasty Chicken-Bone White Chilong-pattern Bi Disc' also performed strongly, selling for HK$15.2 million, 1.5 times its highest estimate.
Overall, the average premium rate for this special sale reached 38%, indicating collectors' strong enthusiasm for high-quality ancient jade pendants. Particularly, exquisite pieces in perfect condition, with clear provenance, and significant historical and cultural value, saw particularly remarkable price increases. According to Ms. Shirley Pek, Christie's Asia Chairman and International Director, the auction attracted buyers from over 20 countries and regions worldwide, with Asian buyers dominating, especially those from Greater China, further solidifying their core position in the Asian art market.
"The success of this ancient jade pendant special sale once again proves the profound charm and market resilience of traditional Chinese cultural artworks," said Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, in an interview. "In recent years, with the global economic recovery and the enhancement of cultural confidence, more and more collectors are beginning to pay attention to and invest in ancient jade artifacts with historical depth and artistic value. Especially those rare or precious pieces with clear provenance and exquisite craftsmanship, their scarcity determines their long-term potential for preservation and appreciation."
Mr. Li Ming further pointed out that the current ancient jade pendant market shows several significant trends: first, the strategy of focusing on high-quality items is becoming more apparent, with collectors preferring to acquire rare items of high quality and value; second, the integration of academic research and market collection is becoming increasingly close, with jade artifacts having clear dating and cultural backgrounds being more favored; third, the entry of a younger generation of collectors has injected new vitality into the market, and their aesthetic and value judgments for jade artifacts are also more diversified. He predicted that in the next five years, the ancient jade pendant market will maintain a steady growth trend, especially jade artifacts from the Warring States to Han Dynasties, which will continue to be market hot spots due to their unique artistic style and historical status.
Ms. Hu, President of Christie's China, also stated: "We are very pleased with the results of this auction. This not only reflects the strong market demand for ancient jade pendants but also highlights Christie's professional capabilities in selecting and presenting top-tier artworks. We will continue to be committed to providing more high-quality Chinese art treasures to collectors worldwide and look forward to achieving more success in future auctions."
The success of Christie's Spring 2026 ancient jade pendant special sale undoubtedly injected a boost of confidence into the global art market, signaling a more prosperous period for the Chinese ancient jade collecting market.