Beijing, November 25, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction value of this autumn sale reached RMB 1.85 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82.3%, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This indicates a strong recovery in the art market, particularly in the high-end jade sector. High-end Bi Yu jade, as the focus of this auction, performed exceptionally well, with several exquisite pieces fetching prices significantly exceeding their estimates, becoming a highlight of market attention.
This autumn sale featured two jade specialty sessions, covering various categories such as Hetian jade, jadeite, and Bi Yu jade. In the “Condensing Emerald Glow – Important Jade Treasures” session, a Qing Dynasty Qianlong period “Bi Yu Jade Carved Basin with Nine Dragons” was hammered at RMB 38 million, with a final transaction price reaching RMB 43.7 million including commission, far exceeding its highest estimate of RMB 25 million, an impressive premium rate of 74.8%. This lot, with its grand size, exquisite carving, and rare Bi Yu jade material, became the focal point of the entire auction. Another modern master-carved “Bi Yu Jade Carved Mountain with Scholars under Pine Trees” sold for RMB 12 million, a 50% increase from its estimate of RMB 8 million, demonstrating the increasing collection value of contemporary jade carving art.
According to Mr. Li Ming, head of Poly Auction's Jade Department: “The excellent performance of high-end Bi Yu jade in this autumn sale is, on the one hand, due to its scarcity and unique artistic value, and on the other hand, reflects collectors' continuous pursuit of exquisite jade. Especially those old Bi Yu jade pieces with clear provenance, exquisite craftsmanship, and perfect condition are steadily increasing in market value.”
From a holistic market perspective, this autumn sale sent positive signals. The dual growth in transaction value and sell-through rate indicates that the art market is gradually emerging from the adjustment period of the past two years and entering a relatively stable upward channel. Especially with the gradual clarification of the economic situation, the demand for art as an asset allocation among high-net-worth individuals is increasing, and rare jades with potential for value preservation and appreciation are particularly favored.
Professor Wang Qiang, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out in an interview: “The Bi Yu jade market has shown a polarized trend in recent years. High-quality, historically and culturally valuable Bi Yu jade masterpieces continue to maintain strong prices or even rise; while ordinary Bi Yu jade or pieces of average quality face greater market pressure. This requires collectors to pay more attention to the quality, craftsmanship, provenance, and cultural connotation of jade when investing. In the future, top-grade materials from Xinjiang Manasi Bi Yu jade and Russian Bi Yu jade will continue to lead market prices.”
Looking ahead, with the revival of traditional Chinese culture and the trend of consumption upgrading, the jade market, especially the high-end jade sector, still has significant room for development. Auction houses will continue to delve deeper, discover more potential exquisite pieces, and meet the growing demands of collectors. At the same time, the improvement of market transparency and professional appraisal will further enhance collector confidence and promote the healthy development of the industry.