Poly 2026 Autumn Auction Ancient Jadeware Special Session Achieves New Heights, Market Recovery Trend Evident

Beijing, November 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the “Splendid Jade – Important Ancient Jade Special Session” performing exceptionally well. The total transaction volume reached RMB 285 million, with a sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations and once again confirming the strong recovery trend in the high-end ancient jade market.

This auction presented a total of 125 meticulously selected ancient jade pieces, covering various historical periods including Hongshan Culture, Liangzhu Culture, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, Han Dynasty, Tang and Song Dynasties, and Ming and Qing Dynasties. Among them, several heavyweight lots attracted fierce bidding, setting new auction records for similar artifacts.

Key Lot Transaction Data:

* Hongshan Culture Jade Pig Dragon: This jade pig dragon, standing 15.2 cm high, features an ancient and robust form with a warm jade texture, a typical representative of Hongshan Culture jade. After nearly 20 rounds of intense bidding, it was hammered at RMB 48 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate (RMB 25 million - 35 million), with an increase of 37.1%. This transaction price set a new auction record for Hongshan Culture jade pig dragons in the past five years.
* Liangzhu Culture Jade Cong with Deity and Beast Face Pattern: A well-preserved Liangzhu Culture jade cong with clear carvings, 23.5 cm high, its exquisite deity and beast face patterns demonstrate the superb jade carving skills of the Liangzhu ancestors. This jade cong sold for RMB 32 million, higher than the upper estimate (RMB 20 million - 28 million), with an increase of approximately 14.3%.
* Han Dynasty Jade Bi with Dragon and Phoenix Pattern: With a diameter of 22 cm, this jade bi features a bluish-white jade texture and exquisite carving, with lifelike dragon and phoenix patterns. This jade bi sold for RMB 18.5 million, an increase of 23.3%, indicating the market's continued strong demand for high-grade Han Dynasty jade artifacts.
* Ming Dynasty White Jade Carved Brush Pot with Auspicious Beast Pattern: A meticulously crafted Ming Dynasty white jade brush pot with fine jade texture sold for RMB 9.8 million, slightly above its estimate, reflecting the steady performance of the Ming and Qing literati jade market.

Market Analysis and Trend Judgment:

The outstanding performance of the ancient jade special session at Poly's autumn auction undoubtedly injected a strong shot in the arm for the currently somewhat sluggish art market. From the transaction data, high-end, rare, well-preserved, and clearly sourced ancient jade artifacts remain the focus of collectors. Particularly, prehistoric cultural jade, with its unique historical value and artistic charm, possesses strong resilience and appreciation potential in the market. Furthermore, the market enthusiasm for Han Dynasty high-ancient jade continues unabated, and exquisitely crafted Ming and Qing imperial jade also maintains stable demand.

Mr. Zhang, head of Poly Auction's Ancient Jade Department, stated: “The success of this autumn auction is strong proof of market confidence recovery. We have observed that collectors' research and appreciation levels for ancient jade are increasing, no longer blindly pursuing 'large' or 'white,' but focusing more on the cultural connotation, craftsmanship, and historical heritage of the artifacts. In the future, we expect high-quality ancient jade to maintain a steady upward trend, while mid-to-low-end common items may face greater market challenges.”

Expert Commentary:

Professor Li, a renowned ancient jade appraisal expert, pointed out: “The results of this auction are inspiring, especially the transaction prices of the Hongshan jade pig dragon and Liangzhu jade cong, which not only reflect their inherent artistic value but also the market's high recognition of early Chinese civilization art. In the current global economic climate, the safe-haven attribute of art investment is becoming increasingly prominent, and ancient jade, as a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, will become more valuable over time. Collectors are advised to focus on learning professional knowledge, choosing reputable auction houses, and reliable lots when investing.”

Overall, the success of the Poly 2026 Autumn Auction's ancient jade special session indicates that the ancient jade market is gradually emerging from its adjustment period and moving towards a healthier and more mature direction. The value of high-end exquisite jade will continue to be recognized by the market, setting a positive tone for future auction markets.