Beijing, May 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday. Among them, the 'Radiant Jade – Ancient and Modern Chinese Jade Carving Art' special session performed exceptionally well, achieving a total transaction value of RMB 285 million, with a transaction rate of 92.5%. This far exceeded market expectations, once again confirming the strong resilience and immense potential of the high-end jade carving art market.
The special session featured 120 carefully selected jade carving artworks, covering archaic jade, Ming and Qing imperial jade, and masterpieces by modern and contemporary jade carving artists. Many lots were sold at prices significantly higher than their estimates, demonstrating collectors' strong enthusiasm for exquisite jade carvings. Notably, a 'Qianlong Period White Jade Carved Archaistic Dragon-Patterned Gui' was hammered at RMB 48 million, a premium of 71.4% over its estimated price of RMB 28 million, making it the highest-priced lot of the session. The gui's dignified form, warm jade quality, and exquisite craftsmanship fully showcased the imperial grandeur of the prosperous Qianlong era, and its rarity and artistic value were fully recognized by the market.
Another highly anticipated lot was a 'Ming Dynasty Yellow Jade Carved Auspicious Beast Ornament,' which sold for RMB 26.5 million, exceeding its estimate of RMB 15 million by 76.7%. This yellow jade ornament features pure jade color and a vivid, lifelike auspicious beast, symbolizing good fortune, reflecting the unique style and superb craftsmanship of Ming dynasty jade carving.
Works by modern and contemporary jade carving masters also performed well. Mr. Wang Dong's 'Biyun Jade Carving 'Asking the Way Under Pine Trees' Mountain' sold for RMB 12 million, an increase of 71.4% over its estimated price of RMB 7 million. This piece skillfully utilizes the natural colors of biyun jade to create a profound artistic conception, showcasing the innovation and inheritance of contemporary jade carving art.
Overall, the total transaction value of this jade carving session increased by 18% compared to the same period last year, and the transaction rate also rose by 5 percentage points. This indicates that in the current complex and volatile economic environment, high-quality, rare jade carving artworks remain a preferred choice for capital preservation and value investment. Especially imperial jade and masterworks with clear provenance, excellent condition, and well-documented transmission, their price performance was particularly outstanding.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The success of this Council International spring auction's jade carving session once again validates the profound heritage of the Chinese traditional art market. High-end jade carving, as a treasure of Chinese civilization, possesses irreplaceable cultural and artistic value. During market adjustments, collectors tend to invest in 'hard currency' with clear historical and artistic merit, and jade carving perfectly fits this characteristic. In the coming years, we expect the prices of exquisite jade carvings to maintain a steady upward trend, especially those with rarity, craftsmanship, cultural significance, and provenance."
Professor Wang, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, also stated: "The results of this auction send a positive signal that the market's aesthetic and value judgment for jade carving artworks is maturing. Collectors are no longer blindly pursuing 'big' or 'new' but are paying more attention to the jade quality, craftsmanship, cultural connotation, and historical heritage. This is undoubtedly a positive guide for the entire jade carving industry, encouraging jade carving artists and practitioners to focus more on the quality and cultural depth of their works."
Looking ahead, with the continuous enhancement of China's traditional cultural confidence and the increasing demand for cultural and artistic investment from high-net-worth individuals, the jade carving art market is expected to remain active. However, market differentiation will become increasingly apparent. Ordinary jade materials or works with mediocre craftsmanship will face greater challenges, while truly artistic and collectible exquisite jade carvings will continue to be sought after, becoming a bright landscape in the field of art investment.