【Beijing, November 15, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total transaction volume of RMB 2.85 billion with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82.3%. Among the various categories, the highly anticipated “Contemporary Jade Carving Masterpieces” special sale particularly stood out, generating a total of RMB 180 million with a 91.5% sell-through rate, becoming a major highlight of this autumn auction. This performance underscores the strong growth potential of the contemporary jade carving market and collectors' high recognition of exquisite pieces.
The “Contemporary Jade Carving Masterpieces” special sale featured 120 carefully selected lots, encompassing various materials such as white jade, nephrite, and black jade. The works exhibited diverse styles, including innovative interpretations of traditional themes and integration of contemporary artistic concepts. Data shows that the average transaction price per lot in this sale reached RMB 1.5 million, an increase of approximately 18% compared to the same period last year. Notably, a white jade ornament titled 'Auspicious Beast' by renowned jade carving master Wang M. was hammered at an astonishing price of RMB 28 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate (RMB 18-22 million), making it the highest-priced lot of the session. Another nephrite pendant, 'Sound of Mountains and Rivers' designed by emerging artist Li M., sold for RMB 6.5 million, achieving a premium rate of 55%, indicating the market's pursuit of new and rare works that combine artistry and scarcity.
Mr. Zhang, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and General Manager of the Jade and Crafts Department, stated in an interview: “The outstanding performance of the contemporary jade carving sector in this autumn auction fully reflects the current market's strong demand for high-quality contemporary jade carving works with cultural connotations. We observe that the collector base is increasingly mature, with a deeper understanding and higher requirements for the artistic value, craftsmanship, and brand influence of the creators. Especially those unique or limited-edition pieces with superior materials, exquisite carving, and profound meanings are being re-evaluated and recognized by the market.”
Market analysts point out that in recent years, driven by both cultural confidence and consumption upgrades, the contemporary jade carving market is gradually recovering from its previous slump caused by economic downturn, showing a steady upward trend. On one hand, the state's increasing support for traditional cultural arts has enhanced the social recognition and influence of jade carving art; on the other hand, the rise of a new generation of collectors, who prioritize artistic merit, design aesthetics, and personalized expression, has injected new vitality into the contemporary jade carving market. Furthermore, some investment institutions and high-net-worth individuals have also begun to focus on contemporary jade carving masterpieces with long-term value preservation and appreciation potential, further boosting market enthusiasm.
Professor Wang, a senior jade market analyst, commented: “The success of contemporary jade carvings at this Guardian autumn auction is not accidental. It heralds a golden period of high-quality development for the contemporary jade carving market in the coming years. We anticipate that contemporary jade carving works with the following characteristics will be more sought after in the future: first, rare and flawless materials, such as top-grade Hetian seed jade from Xinjiang and Russian nephrite; second, crafted by renowned masters with unique and highly recognizable styles; third, innovative themes that integrate traditional culture with modern aesthetics, possessing profound cultural heritage and artistic appeal; and fourth, traceable creation history and authoritative appraisal certificates. At the same time, we remind collectors to remain rational when investing in contemporary jade carvings, focusing on long-term value and avoiding blind speculation.”
Looking ahead, with the continuous development of China's economy and the increasing prosperity of the cultural and art market, contemporary jade carving, as an important carrier of excellent traditional Chinese culture, will gain broader recognition for its market value and artistic charm. China Guardian will continue to cultivate this field, presenting more exquisite pieces to collectors and contributing to the inheritance and development of contemporary jade carving art.