BEIJING, November 25, 2026 – Poly Auction's 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated “Treasures of Jade and Bronze – Important Ancient Jade Session” performing exceptionally well. The session achieved a total turnover of RMB 185 million, with an impressive sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. The success of this session not only reconfirmed the deep collecting foundation of the ancient jade market but also demonstrated strong market resilience in the current macroeconomic environment.
The session presented a total of 126 exquisite ancient jade pieces, spanning from the Neolithic period to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Several archaic jade pieces, in particular, stood out as the highlights of the entire sale. A Neolithic Liangzhu Culture jade cong, renowned for its superb craftsmanship and rarity, fetched RMB 38 million after multiple rounds of intense bidding, far exceeding its upper estimate of RMB 22 million, representing a premium rate of 72.7%. Another Warring States period white jade dragon-shaped pendant, admired for its fluid lines and warm luster, sold for RMB 15.5 million, nearly 94% higher than its estimate of RMB 8 million. The success of these two lots undoubtedly injected new vitality into the archaic jade market.
The mid-to-low-end market also performed well. A batch of Ming and Qing dynasty jade carvings, such as jade belt hooks and jade plaques, although not high in individual price, attracted numerous collectors with their exquisite carving and good condition, achieving a sell-through rate close to 100%. For example, a Qianlong period white jade plaque carved with a scene of a scholar under pine trees sold for RMB 850,000, slightly above its estimate of RMB 600,000, indicating stable demand in the mid-range market.
Mr. Zhang Ming, Head of Poly Auction's Antiquities Department, stated in an interview: “The success of this ancient jade session, especially the strong performance of the archaic jade sector, fully demonstrates the scarcity of top-tier artworks and their safe-haven properties as asset allocations. During market adjustments, collectors' enthusiasm for exquisite and rare pieces has not diminished but increased, reflecting the market's high recognition of the cultural and investment value of ancient jade.”
Professor Li Hua, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The performance of the ancient jade market in the 2026 autumn auction sends several key signals. Firstly, the value of high-end, exquisite ancient jade remains strong, even showing an upward trend against the general market, thanks to its irreplaceable artistic and historical value. Secondly, the collector base is evolving, with a growing interest in archaic jade among younger generations of collectors who prioritize the cultural connotations and historical narratives behind the artworks. Lastly, the market shows a greater preference for jade pieces with clear provenance, perfect condition, and documented transmission, which prompts auction houses to be more stringent in their consignment processes.”
Looking ahead, Professor Li believes that the ancient jade market will continue to exhibit a bifurcated trend: top-tier rarities will remain highly sought after, with prices likely to continue rising, while common categories may face greater market competition and price pressure. He advises collectors to focus more on the cultural value, rarity, and artistic merit of the pieces, and to pay attention to market trends for rational investment. The success of this Poly autumn auction undoubtedly sets a positive tone for the development of the ancient jade market in 2027 and beyond, heralding the arrival of a more mature and rational era of collecting.