BEIJING, November 25, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International Auction 2026 Autumn Sale concluded successfully yesterday. As a highlight of this autumn sale, the jade carving art section performed exceptionally well, not only setting a new record for total turnover but also seeing several exquisite pieces sell for prices far exceeding their estimates, once again confirming the strong resilience and investment value of the high-end jade carving art market. This autumn sale's jade carving art section featured a total of 120 lots, with 108 pieces sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 90%, significantly higher than the market average. The total transaction value reached RMB 320 million, an 18.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
The highlight of this section was undoubtedly several exquisite Hetian jade pebble pieces. Among them, a Qianlong period white jade carving of a “Blessings and Longevity” ornament, with its delicate jade quality, superb craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism, was finally hammered at RMB 48 million, far exceeding its estimate of RMB 30 million, becoming the highest-priced lot of the sale. Another masterpiece by contemporary jade carving master Wu Desheng – a Hetian jade pebble “Guanyin” plaque, with its unique artistic style and exquisite openwork carving techniques, after several rounds of fierce bidding, finally sold for RMB 22 million, an increase of 37.5% from its estimate. In addition, a Ming Dynasty yellow jade carving of a “Auspicious Beast” incense burner, with its rare material and antique shape, also sold for RMB 15 million.
From the data, the average unit price of this jade carving section reached RMB 2.96 million, a year-on-year increase of 15%. Among them, exquisite jade carvings with an estimated value of over RMB 10 million achieved a 100% sell-through rate, demonstrating the undiminished enthusiasm of top collectors for scarce resources. Mid-to-high-end lots with estimated values between RMB 1 million and RMB 5 million also showed a steady growth trend, with a sell-through rate of 88%.
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of this Council International Auction's autumn jade carving section once again confirms the anti-depreciation and investment value of the high-end jade carving art market. In the current macroeconomic environment, capital tends to flow to art pieces with scarcity, cultural value, and potential for preservation and appreciation. Hetian jade pebble, as the 'king of jade,' its resource scarcity is becoming increasingly prominent, coupled with exquisite craftsmanship, making it a focal point for collectors. In the coming years, we expect the price of exquisite Hetian jade pebble pieces to maintain a steady upward trend, especially masterpieces by renowned carvers with clear provenance, whose value will continue to be recognized by the market.”
Ms. Wang Fang, a jade market commentator, added: “In addition to traditional Hetian jade pebble, some contemporary jade carving works with unique artistic styles and innovative concepts also achieved impressive results in this autumn sale, indicating that the market's aesthetic appreciation for jade carving art is diversifying. The younger generation of collectors is increasingly accepting contemporary jade carving, paying more attention to the artistry and design of the works. This provides broad space for the development of contemporary jade carving artists and also indicates that the jade carving market will usher in a more diversified collection landscape.”
Expert Commentary:
Professor Zhang Hua from the School of Archaeology and Museology at Peking University stated: “Several high-priced ancient jade pieces sold in this autumn sale, whether it's the Qianlong period white jade ornament or the Ming Dynasty yellow jade incense burner, all embody the pinnacle of traditional Chinese jade carving art. These works are not only valuable for their material but also carry profound historical and cultural information and exquisite craftsmanship. For collectors, they are not just works of art but also witnesses to history, and their cultural and academic value is immeasurable.”
Overall, the Beijing Council International Auction 2026 Autumn Sale's jade carving art section achieved remarkable results, injecting strong confidence into the entire art market. Against the backdrop of increasingly scarce resources and a growing collector base, the investment value and collection potential of jade carving art will continue to be unleashed, and the future market outlook is promising.