BEIJING, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly Auction 2026 Spring Sale recently concluded with great success. The Ancient Jade section, in particular, demonstrated the strong resilience and continuous recovery trend of the Chinese ancient jade market with its exquisite lots and impressive transaction data. This special section featured a total of 120 lots (sets), achieving a total sales volume of RMB 285 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 88.3%, significantly exceeding market expectations.
High-Ancient Jades Shine, Leading the Market
In this Ancient Jade section, high-ancient jades (pre-Han Dynasty) performed exceptionally well, becoming the main driving force for market growth. A “Late Western Zhou Dynasty Jade Huang” was hammered down at an astonishing price of RMB 38 million, far exceeding its estimated price of RMB 20 million, with a premium rate of 90%, making it the highest-priced lot of the sale. This jade Huang has a regular shape, warm jade quality, and exquisite carving, reflecting the superb jade craftsmanship of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Another “Early Warring States Period Celadon Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant” also sold for RMB 25 million, an increase of 66.7% from its estimated price of RMB 15 million.
Professor Li Ming, a senior expert at the China Association of Auctioneers, pointed out: “High-ancient jades have always been the focus of collectors due to their scarcity, historical and cultural value, and artistic merit. The excellent performance of high-ancient jades in this Poly Spring Sale reflects the undiminished enthusiasm of the market for exquisite high-ancient jades, and there is a trend of further improvement.”
Ming and Qing Jades Show Steady Growth, Premium for Fine Pieces Evident
The Ming and Qing jade segment also performed well. Although the overall increase was not as significant as that of high-ancient jades, fine pieces still commanded high premiums. A “Qianlong Period White Jade Carved Taotie Pattern Square Pot” sold for RMB 12 million, an increase of 50% from its estimated price of RMB 8 million. This square pot features pure white and delicate jade, exquisite carving, and intricate patterns, making it a typical representative of court jades from the Qianlong period. In addition, several small exquisite pieces such as Ming and Qing jade plaques and pendants also sold for prices 20%-40% above their estimates, indicating strong market demand for well-preserved and finely crafted Ming and Qing jades.
Market Analysis and Trend Judgment: Boosted Confidence, Value Return
The success of this Poly Spring Sale Ancient Jade section has injected a strong shot in the arm for the currently somewhat sluggish art market. From the data, the total sales volume of RMB 285 million and the sell-through rate of 88.3% both set new highs for similar sections in the past two years. This indicates that after a period of adjustment, the ancient jade market is gradually recovering, and collectors' confidence has been significantly boosted.
Mr. Wang Qiang, a senior market analyst, believes: “The success of this auction is, first of all, due to Poly's strong ability to source, gathering a batch of rare ancient jades with clear provenance and first-class condition. Secondly, the gradual stabilization of the global economic situation has also rekindled the interest of high-net-worth individuals in art investment. It is expected that in the next two years, the ancient jade market will continue its steady growth, especially for exquisite pieces with scarcity, profound cultural connotations, and superb craftsmanship, whose value will be further restored and enhanced.”
Expert Commentary: Rational Investment, Focus on Heritage
Mr. Zhang Hua, a renowned jade collector and connoisseur, stated in an interview: “The auction results are encouraging, but collectors still need to remain rational. While focusing on high-priced lots, they should also pay attention to the cultural connotation and heritage value of jade. For ordinary collectors, choosing Ming and Qing jades with good quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and reliable provenance is still a relatively stable investment direction. At the same time, with the advancement of technology and the continuous improvement of appraisal methods, the market's ability to identify the authenticity of jade is also increasing, which helps to purify the market environment and promote the healthy development of the industry.”
In conclusion, the success of Poly Auction 2026 Spring Sale Ancient Jade section not only demonstrates the huge potential of the Chinese ancient jade market but also points the way for future market development. With the release of more exquisite ancient jades and the continued high enthusiasm for collecting, we have reason to believe that the ancient jade market will usher in an even more prosperous spring.