BEIJING, May 20, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Spring Auction recently concluded with remarkable success, particularly in the “Jijin Yicui – Important High-Ancient and Ming-Qing Jade Wares” specialist sale. The total transaction value reached RMB 285 million, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 89.5%, indicating a strong rebound in the ancient jade market.
This specialist sale featured 120 meticulously selected ancient jade pieces, covering various periods from the Neolithic age to the Qing Dynasty. Several high-ancient jade items, due to their rarity and historical significance, became the focal points of the entire session.
Featured Lots and Transaction Data:
* A Pair of Western Zhou Jade Huang (Arched Pendants): These jade huang, exquisitely carved with warm jade quality and perfectly preserved, are prime examples of Western Zhou ritual objects. They were hammered down for RMB 48 million, a 37.1% increase from their pre-sale estimate (RMB 28-35 million), becoming the highest-priced lot of the session. The bidding process was exceptionally intense, with multiple collectors engaging in a 15-minute tug-of-war.
* Warring States Period Grain-Patterned Jade Bi Disc: With a diameter of 25 cm, this bi disc features a celadon-white jade body and meticulously arranged grain patterns, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. It sold for RMB 32 million, exceeding the low estimate by 50%, demonstrating the market's strong demand for large Warring States jade bi discs.
* Han Dynasty Jade Belt Hook with Dragon and Phoenix Motif: This jade belt hook is vibrantly carved, depicting lifelike dragon and phoenix figures, symbolizing auspiciousness. It fetched RMB 18.5 million, within the estimated range (RMB 12-18 million) but still at a high level.
* Ming Dynasty White Jade Carved Brush Pot with Auspicious Beast Motif: The jade is fine and smooth, and the carving is fluid, representing a classic example of Ming Dynasty scholarly jade wares. It sold for RMB 9.8 million, a 22.5% increase from its estimate.
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:
The outstanding performance of Poly's ancient jade specialist sale undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the long-dormant ancient jade market. Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of this auction is, first and foremost, attributed to the gradual improvement in the economic environment, which has restored confidence among high-net-worth collectors in art investment. Secondly, Poly's stringent standards in lot selection ensured the rarity, completeness, and artistic value of the pieces, especially high-ancient jade, whose irreplaceable historical and cultural attributes make it a hard currency.”
From the transaction data, high-ancient jade (from the Neolithic age to the Han Dynasty) remains the core driving force of the market. Its historical value and cultural connotations are key to attracting top collectors. Particularly, well-preserved ritual objects and ornaments with clear provenance showed exceptional price performance. As for Ming and Qing jade wares, exquisite scholarly objects and display pieces also maintained steady growth, though their appreciation was not as significant as that of high-ancient jade.
Expert Commentary and Market Insights:
Professor Wang, a renowned jade appraisal expert, stated in an interview: “The highlight of this auction is the market's extremely high enthusiasm for high-grade, rare ancient jade. This indicates that after several years of market adjustment, collectors' investment philosophies have become more mature and rational, leaning towards collecting 'hardcore' pieces that truly possess historical, artistic, and cultural value. In the future, prices for high-ancient jade are expected to continue their steady rise, while ordinary or poorly preserved jade pieces may face greater market pressure.”
A senior collector, who wished to remain anonymous, commented: “I have followed the ancient jade market for many years, and the results of this Poly spring auction are exhilarating. Especially that pair of Western Zhou jade huang, their historical value and artistic achievement are impeccable. Achieving such a price is a testament to the market's recognition of their value. I believe now is a good time to invest in high-ancient jade, but collectors still need to enhance their connoisseurship and choose reputable auction houses.”
Looking ahead, with the further global economic recovery and the activation of the art market, the ancient jade sector, particularly high-ancient jade with its profound cultural heritage and scarcity, will continue to attract the attention of collectors worldwide, and its investment and collection value will continue to stand out. Poly Auction's success this time also sets a new benchmark for the entire ancient jade market, signaling a more prosperous future.