Beijing, May 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total turnover of this spring auction reached RMB 1.25 billion, with a high sell-through rate of 82.3%, continuing the steady growth trend of the art market in recent years. Among them, the much-anticipated “Jade Radiance – Ancient Chinese Jade Special Session” performed particularly well, achieving a total turnover of RMB 320 million and a sell-through rate of 91.5%, once again confirming the strong demand for high-quality jade, especially exquisite Bi-Yu jade, in the current market.
The star lot of this jade special session was undoubtedly a “Qianlong Period Bi-Yu Jade Carved Kui Dragon Pattern Vase with Loose Ring Handles and Lid”. This vase, with its grand form, warm jade quality, and exquisite carving, was finally hammered at RMB 88 million, an impressive 46.7% premium over its estimate of RMB 60 million, making it the highest-selling lot of this spring auction. Another highly anticipated “Ming Dynasty Bi-Yu Jade Carved Auspicious Beast Pattern Brush Pot” also sold for RMB 35 million, far exceeding its estimate of RMB 20 million, with a remarkable increase of 75%. In addition, several small and medium-sized exquisite pieces such as Hetian Bi-Yu jade bracelets and pendants also performed well, with an average premium rate exceeding 30%.
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of this Council International spring auction, especially the strong performance of the Bi-Yu jade sector, once again verifies the anti-depreciation and value-preserving attributes of high-quality, scarce jade. Against the backdrop of increasing global economic uncertainty, collectors’ preference for hard assets with cultural heritage and artistic value continues to rise. Bi-Yu jade, especially Xinjiang Hetian Bi-Yu jade, due to its unique color, delicate texture, and profound cultural connotation, is becoming another type of jade sought after by the market, following mutton-fat jade.”
From the data, the price increase of exquisite Bi-Yu jade is significantly higher than other types of jade. In the past five years, the average annual compound growth rate of top-grade Bi-Yu jade has reached about 15%, and the transaction data from this spring auction shows an accelerating upward trend. This is mainly due to several factors: first, the increasing scarcity of high-quality Bi-Yu jade raw materials, especially old mine materials; second, the market’s re-recognition and promotion of Bi-Yu jade’s aesthetic value; and third, the entry of new collector groups who have a higher acceptance of Bi-Yu jade and strong purchasing power.
Expert Comments and Market Insiders' Views:
Professor Wang, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, stated: “Bi-Yu jade, with its calm and understated color and unique oily luster, has emerged as a dark horse in the high-end collection market in recent years. In this Council International spring auction, several exquisite Bi-Yu jade pieces set new transaction records for similar lots. This is not only the market’s recognition of the artistic value of individual works but also an affirmation of the future potential of the entire Bi-Yu jade category. We expect that in the next few years, the market price of high-quality Bi-Yu jade will continue to rise steadily, especially for those Bi-Yu jade artifacts with unique historical heritage, exquisite craftsmanship, and perfect appearance, whose investment value will be even more prominent.”
An anonymous senior jade collector also said: “I have been following the Bi-Yu jade market for more than ten years, and the growth of Bi-Yu jade in recent years has been truly surprising. In the past, everyone only recognized mutton-fat jade, but now the value of Bi-Yu jade is gradually being recognized. This time I successfully bid for a Qing Dynasty Bi-Yu jade mountain carving. Although the price was high, I believe in its long-term value. Good Bi-Yu jade is rare and hard to come by.”
Looking ahead, with the revival of traditional Chinese culture and the improvement of collectors’ aesthetic standards, the market demand for high-quality jade will continue to be strong. The success of Beijing Council International’s spring auction has injected strong confidence into the art market for 2026 and beyond, especially in the jade sector, and has also provided collectors with a clear market indicator.