【Hangzhou, November 15, 2026】Xiling Yinshe's 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated 'Jade's Natural Radiance – Special Session for Ancient and Modern Hetian Jade Masterpieces' performing exceptionally well. The total transaction value reached RMB 185 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92.3%, once again confirming the strong growth momentum in the high-end Hetian jade market.
This special session featured 120 carefully selected Hetian jade lots, covering various types such as white jade, jasper, and black jade. The forms ranged from hand pieces and ornaments to scholar's objects and carved pieces, all showcasing the exquisite artistry of jade carving and the warm luster of Hetian jade. Among them, a Qing Dynasty Qianlong white jade 'Chilong Offering Auspiciousness' plaque fetched an astonishing RMB 28 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of RMB 18 million, with a premium rate of 55.5%. This jade plaque boasts fine and oily jade quality, exquisite carving, and a vivid Chilong (mythical dragon) motif, symbolizing good fortune. It is a quintessential example of imperial jade carving during the Qianlong period. Another contemporary Hetian jade pebble 'Complete Fortune and Longevity' ornament, weighing 3.5 kilograms, also sold for RMB 15 million, an increase of 25% from its estimate of RMB 12 million, demonstrating the market's continued pursuit of high-quality large-sized pebbles.
From the data, nearly 30% of the lots in this session sold above their high estimates, with an average premium rate of 18.7%, significantly higher than the average premium level of Xiling Yinshe's jade special sessions over the past three autumn auctions. This not only reflects buyers' strong demand for exquisite Hetian jade but also indicates the market's deep recognition of jade's value. Among them, Qing Dynasty imperial jade and contemporary master-carved Hetian jade works performed particularly well, becoming the two major highlights of this auction.
Mr. Lu Ming, General Manager of Xiling Yinshe Auction Co., Ltd., stated in an interview: 'The success of this Hetian jade special session once again proves the resilience and vitality of the Chinese traditional cultural art market. Especially in the context of many uncertainties facing the global economy, high-end Hetian jade, as a scarce resource with artistic, cultural, and investment value, its safe-haven attributes and potential for preservation and appreciation are becoming increasingly prominent. We have observed a significant increase in attention from new collector groups towards Hetian jade, and they tend to collect exquisite pieces with clear provenance, superb craftsmanship, and cultural connotations.'
Professor Zhang Hua, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: 'In recent years, the Hetian jade market has shown a polarized trend. On the one hand, the prices of ordinary jade with rough craftsmanship continue to decline; on the other hand, the prices of high-quality Hetian jade pebbles, works by renowned masters, and ancient jade with historical and cultural value have soared. The results of this Xiling Yinshe autumn auction precisely confirm this trend. In the future, we expect the prices of exquisite Hetian jade to continue to rise steadily, and collectors should pay more attention to jade quality, craftsmanship, cultural background, and orderly provenance when investing, avoiding blind following of trends.'
Looking ahead, with the resurgence of Chinese traditional culture and the growth of national wealth, Hetian jade, as an important carrier of Chinese civilization, is expected to continue to see its market value and collection popularity rise. However, the market also faces challenges such as resource scarcity and difficulty in identification. It is recommended that collectors acquire more professional knowledge and collaborate with reputable auction houses and dealers to ensure the quality and value of their collections.