【Beijing, May 18, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated Contemporary Jade Carving section performing exceptionally well. Many exquisite pieces sold for prices far exceeding expectations, once again confirming the strong growth momentum of the contemporary jade carving market and collectors' continued pursuit of high-quality art. The total transaction value for contemporary jade carvings in this spring auction reached an impressive RMB 125 million, with a sell-through rate of 89.5%, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year, indicating growing confidence in the contemporary jade carving market.

The focus of this auction was undoubtedly the masterpieces by several contemporary jade carving masters. Among them, 'Biyu Thin-Walled Vase · Lotus Pond Moonlight' created by national-level jade carving master Yang Genlian, sold for an astonishing RMB 28 million, significantly surpassing its estimate of RMB 15 million, with a premium rate as high as 86.67%, making it the top lot of the auction. This work won the favor of collectors with its exquisite thin-walled craftsmanship and profound artistic conception. Another piece, 'White Jade Seed Material Hand Piece · Auspicious Beasts' by young jade carving artist Li Mingjie, also sold for RMB 12 million, an increase of 50% compared to its estimate of RMB 8 million, highlighting the great potential of works by emerging artists.

From the transaction data, the contemporary jade carving sector in this auction showed the following significant characteristics:

  • Masterpieces remain the core market driver: Representative works by renowned jade carving masters are still the primary focus for collectors. The scarcity, artistic value, and brand effect of their works collectively drive up transaction prices.

  • Emphasis on both material and craftsmanship: High-quality Hetian jade seed material remains the mainstream of the market, but exquisite carving techniques and unique artistic creativity can achieve higher premiums for works of similar material.

  • Emerging works by young artists: Some young jade carving artists with innovative spirits and unique styles are beginning to attract market attention, and their price increases are considerable, indicating new growth points for the future market.


Mr. Zhang Hua, General Manager of the Jade and Crafts Department at China Guardian Auction House, stated in an interview: “The impressive results of the contemporary jade carving sector in this spring auction once again prove the vigorous vitality of Chinese contemporary jade carving art. We see that collectors' aesthetics and understanding of jade carving are continuously improving. They not only focus on the rarity of the material but also pay more attention to the artistic quality, cultural connotation, and difficulty of craftsmanship. Especially those innovative works that combine traditional culture with modern aesthetics have been warmly sought after by the market.”

Senior jade market analyst Mr. Wang Qiang also pointed out: “The current global economic environment is complex, but the art market, especially contemporary jade carvings with profound cultural heritage and scarcity, shows strong resilience to risks. In the coming years, with more excellent works entering the market and the optimization of the collector base, the contemporary jade carving market is expected to maintain steady growth. However, investors still need to be cautious when selecting collections, focusing on the artistic value of the work, the artist's industry status, and the preservation condition of the work, to avoid blindly following trends.”

Looking ahead, the contemporary jade carving market will show more diversified and international trends. With the increasing influence of Chinese culture and the growing interest of international collectors in Eastern art, contemporary jade carvings are expected to attract more international buyers, further expanding their market space. At the same time, the combination of technology and art will also bring new possibilities for jade carving creation, injecting new vitality into the market.