BEIJING, November 25, 2026 – China Guardian 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total turnover of this autumn sale reached RMB 3.25 billion, with a high sell-through rate of 82%, indicating that the art market is gradually recovering its vitality after a period of adjustment. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Contemporary Jade Carving Masterpieces' special session performed particularly brilliantly, with a total turnover exceeding RMB 280 million and a sell-through rate as high as 91%, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period last year, becoming a major highlight of this auction.
Detailed Analysis of Contemporary Jade Carving Sector Transaction Data:
This contemporary jade carving special session featured a total of 120 lots, with 109 pieces ultimately sold. Among them, several exquisite pieces set new personal transaction records for the artists. A Hetian white jade plaque titled 'Mountains and Rivers of a Thousand Miles' created by renowned jade carving master Zhang Yi, fetched the top price of RMB 28 million, far exceeding its previous estimate (RMB 18-22 million), with a premium rate of 27%. Another spinach jade ornament titled 'Moonlight over Lotus Pond' by emerging young jade carver Li Ming, was hammered at RMB 8.5 million, an increase of 21% compared to its estimate (RMB 5-7 million), demonstrating the market's recognition of new generation talents. In addition, many mid-to-low-priced jade carving works also performed well, with a sell-through rate of 95% for lots in the RMB 500,000 to RMB 2 million range, indicating strong market demand for high-quality, innovative contemporary jade carving works.
Market Analysis and Trend Judgment:
The excellent performance of the contemporary jade carving sector at this China Guardian autumn auction is not accidental. Wang Qiang, a senior auction industry reporter and jade market analyst, pointed out: "In recent years, with the diversification of collectors' aesthetic tastes and the re-examination of traditional cultural art, the artistic and collection value of contemporary jade carvings are gradually being recognized by the market. Especially those exquisite pieces that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, superior materials, exquisite carving, and profound meanings, have huge potential for price appreciation."
From a macro perspective, the gradual recovery of the global economy, coupled with continuous support for the cultural and art industry domestically, provides a favorable external environment for the art market. In the field of jade carving, the increasing scarcity of high-quality jade materials such as Hetian jade also provides solid support for the value of contemporary jade carving works. At the same time, the younger generation of collectors has a higher acceptance of contemporary art, paying more attention to the creativity, artistry, and relevance of works to modern life, which also promotes a more diversified and personalized development trend in the contemporary jade carving market.
Expert Commentary and Market Insights:
Ms. Liu Fang, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and General Manager of the Jade and Crafts Department, stated: "The success of this contemporary jade carving special session once again confirms our judgment on market trends. We have found that collectors are increasingly valuing the artistry, cultural connotation, and creative philosophy of jade carving works. In the future, we will continue to deeply cultivate this field, discover more promising contemporary jade carving artists and their works, and provide more diversified choices for the market."
Professor Chen Gang, a renowned jade carving critic and member of the China Arts and Crafts Master Appraisal Committee, also believes: "Contemporary jade carving is in a golden period of rapid development. On the one hand, traditional jade carving techniques are constantly innovating in inheritance; on the other hand, artists are actively exploring new forms of expression and themes, making their works more contemporary and artistically appealing. The results of this auction show that the market's recognition of exquisite contemporary jade carvings has reached an unprecedented level, and this sector will continue to be one of the hot spots for art investment in the next few years."
Overall, the strong performance of the contemporary jade carving sector at China Guardian's 2026 autumn auction not only boosted market confidence but also heralded a more prosperous period for the contemporary jade carving market. With the continuous improvement of artists' creative levels and the increasing maturity of collectors' appreciation abilities, the value of contemporary jade carvings will continue to grow steadily.