BEIJING, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully today, with the 'Treasures Galore – Ancient and Modern Chinese Jade' special sale performing exceptionally well. Despite ongoing global economic uncertainties, the strong performance of master jade carvings undoubtedly injected a shot of confidence into the market, signaling the resilience and vitality of the high-end art market.
The jade ware special sale featured a total of 120 lots, with 105 pieces successfully sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 87.5%, significantly exceeding prior market expectations. The total transaction value reached RMB 285 million, representing a 15.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, several representative works by master jade carvers became the focal points of the entire sale, achieving remarkable results.
Featured Lots and Transaction Data:
* Lot 0088: Master Wu Desheng's 'Hehe Erxian' White Jade Sculpture. This piece, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, delicate jade quality, and profound cultural connotations, sparked intense bidding. It was ultimately hammered at RMB 38 million, exceeding the upper estimate by 25%, making it the highest-priced lot of the sale. According to a Poly Auction representative, the work had attracted significant attention from several important collectors during the preview, indicating its high market recognition.
* Lot 0123: Master Yang Shihui's 'Asking a Boy Under the Pine' Jade Mountain Sculpture. This piece, blending traditional literati aesthetics with modern sensibilities, sold for RMB 22.5 million, achieving a premium rate of 18%. The buyer, a seasoned collector from Southern China, stated: "Master Yang's works are not just art pieces; they are cultural treasures that can be passed down, and their long-term investment value is self-evident."
* Lot 0056: Master Cui Lei's 'Auspicious Beasts Presenting Good Fortune' Celadon Jade Censer. With its unique design and intricate openwork, it ultimately sold for RMB 15 million, an increase of 12% over its estimate.
Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:
The success of this spring auction, particularly the outstanding performance of master jade carvings, conveys several key market signals.
Firstly, the anti-fragility and scarcity value of high-end, exquisite jade ware are becoming increasingly prominent. During periods of market volatility, collectors tend to invest in top-tier works with clear artistic value, craftsmanship, and historical provenance. Master-level jade carvings, due to their irreplaceable artistry and limited availability, become preferred choices for capital preservation and value appreciation.
Secondly, the interest of younger generations of collectors in traditional cultural art is resurging. The bidding activity shows that, in addition to traditional established collectors, some emerging young buyers actively participated, demonstrating a deeper understanding and pursuit of jade carving aesthetics and cultural connotations. This indicates that the jade collecting community is expanding, leading to a more stable market foundation.
Furthermore, the integrated online and offline auction model has further matured. Poly Auction, through high-definition catalogs, expert live guided tours, and online real-time bidding systems, effectively expanded its buyer base, particularly attracting overseas and remote collectors, thereby boosting the overall sell-through rate and transaction volume.
Expert Commentary and Market Insights:
Professor Li Ming, a renowned jade appraisal expert and Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, commented: "The results of this Poly Spring Auction are inspiring. The works of contemporary jade carving masters such as Wu Desheng and Yang Shihui not only represent the highest level of Chinese jade carving art but also embody profound cultural heritage. Their successful sales prove that the market consistently maintains strong demand for high-quality, storied, and historically significant artworks. In the future, we anticipate that the market value of master-level jade carvings will continue to rise steadily, becoming an important bellwether in the art investment sector."
Mr. Wang Qiang, a senior art market analyst, added: "Despite the complex global economic situation, the Chinese art market, especially high-end artworks with distinct national characteristics, has demonstrated strong intrinsic momentum. Poly's successful spring auction not only boosted industry confidence but also set a positive tone for the art market in the second half of the year. It is expected that in the next two years, with the gradual economic recovery and strengthening cultural confidence, the jade market will usher in a new round of growth, with exquisite jade carvings that combine artistry, scarcity, and cultural value continuing to be highly sought after."
In conclusion, the success of Poly's 2026 Spring Auction, particularly the outstanding performance of master jade carvings, undoubtedly injected vitality into the currently somewhat sluggish art market. It not only showcases the unique charm of traditional Chinese jade carving art but also indicates that the high-end art market is nurturing new opportunities amidst challenges.