Beijing, November 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated China Guardian 2026 Autumn Auction concluded yesterday, with the 'Treasures of Metal and Jade – Archaic Jades' specialist sale performing exceptionally well. The total transaction value reached an impressive RMB 285 million, with a sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. The success of this auction not only highlights the strong recovery momentum of the archaic jade market but also injects a much-needed boost into the art market, which has been sluggish for some time.
This specialist sale featured 125 exquisite archaic jade pieces, ranging from the Neolithic period to the Han Dynasty. Among them, an 'Early Western Zhou Dynasty Celadon Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant' fetched an astonishing RMB 68 million, far surpassing its estimate of RMB 35 million, with a premium rate of 94.2%, becoming the top lot of the auction. This pendant, with its antique form, exquisite carving, and warm jade quality, along with its clear provenance, sparked fierce bidding among multiple collectors. Another 'Late Warring States Period White Jade Grain-patterned Bi Disc' also sold for RMB 42 million, representing a 68% increase from its estimated price of RMB 25 million. Additionally, several Han Dynasty jade pieces, such as a 'Han Dynasty Celadon and White Jade Chilong Dragon Belt Hook' and a 'Han Dynasty Yellow Jade Auspicious Beast Ornament,' all sold for prices more than 30% above their estimates, demonstrating the market's continued pursuit of high-quality Han Dynasty jades.
According to data from China Guardian Auction House, the average transaction price per lot in this archaic jade specialist sale reached RMB 2.28 million, an increase of 15.3% compared to the average price of similar sales in the 2025 autumn auction. All lots estimated at over RMB 10 million were sold, with an average premium rate exceeding 45%, indicating that the demand for rare masterpieces among high-end collectors remains robust.
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The outstanding performance of the archaic jade specialist sale at this Guardian Autumn Auction signifies that the archaic jade market is gradually emerging from the adjustment period of the past few years and entering a new upward channel. There are three main reasons: firstly, the global economy is gradually stabilizing, and the wealth effect of high-net-worth individuals is becoming apparent, leading to a rebound in demand for art investment; secondly, there is a scarcity of exquisite pieces in the market supply, making high-quality, well-provenanced archaic jades the focus of collectors' pursuit; thirdly, the deepening of academic research and the enhancement of cultural confidence have led to a broader recognition of the historical, cultural, and artistic value of archaic jades."
Mr. Li further analyzed: "From the transaction data, archaic jades from the Western Zhou and Warring States periods performed particularly well, with their historical value and artistic achievements highly recognized by the market. Han Dynasty jades also maintained steady growth. In the next few years, we expect the archaic jade market to remain active, especially for exquisite pieces with clear provenance, excellent condition, and unique cultural connotations, which still have significant room for value appreciation. At the same time, with the rise of a younger generation of collectors, their aesthetic and value judgments for ancient jades are constantly evolving, which may bring new collecting hot spots to the market."
Expert Commentary:
Professor Wang, a renowned jade appraisal expert, stated in an interview: "The success of this auction fully illustrates the strong market demand for genuine, rare, and exquisite archaic jades. The transaction price of the 'Early Western Zhou Dynasty Celadon Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant' not only set a new auction record for similar items but also reflected collectors' appreciation and purchasing power for top-tier artworks. I believe that in the current market environment, collectors should pay more attention to the cultural connotations, historical value, and artistic taste of jade, rather than blindly chasing short-term trends. At the same time, auction houses should continue to tap into market potential and provide more meticulously authenticated masterpieces to meet the growing demand for collection."
The success of the China Guardian 2026 Autumn Auction's archaic jade specialist sale has undoubtedly injected confidence into the entire art market, heralding the arrival of a more active and healthy collecting era.