【Beijing, May 18, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated 'Auspicious Metal and Elegant Playthings – Ancient Jades' special sale performing exceptionally well. The total transaction amount reached RMB 125 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. This auction result not only highlights the resilience and vitality of the ancient jade market but also injects strong confidence into the future development of the art market.
The special sale featured 120 carefully selected ancient jade pieces, covering various treasures from the Neolithic Age to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Among them, a 'Qing Dynasty Qianlong Period White Jade Carved Taotie Mask and Live-Ring Handled Censer' fetched a staggering RMB 38 million, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of RMB 25 million, with a premium rate of 52%. The jade's warm and delicate texture, exquisite carving, and grand, regular form fully showcased the pinnacle of Qing Dynasty imperial jade craftsmanship. Another piece, a 'Ming Dynasty Dragon Head Pattern Celadon Jade Belt Hook,' also sold for a high price of RMB 12 million, an increase of 50% from its estimate of RMB 8 million, demonstrating collectors' pursuit of the unique artistic style of Ming Dynasty jade ware.
From the data, the average premium rate for this auction reached 32%, a significant increase from 18% in the ancient jade special sale during the same period last year. High-quality jade pieces with clear provenance and well-documented lineage remained the focus of market pursuit, with multiple items selling for several times their estimated prices. For example, a 'Han Dynasty Yellow Jade Auspicious Beast' sold for RMB 6.5 million, 2.6 times its lowest estimate. This indicates that in the current market environment, collectors' judgment of scarcity and artistic value is becoming increasingly mature, and they are willing to pay a higher premium for truly valuable treasures.
Mr. Li Ming, a veteran auction industry journalist and jade market analyst, pointed out: "The success of China Guardian's ancient jade special sale is the result of multiple converging factors. Firstly, in recent years, with the country's emphasis on and popularization of traditional culture, public awareness and aesthetic appreciation of ancient jade have continuously improved, providing a solid foundation for the market. Secondly, the gradual stabilization of the global economic situation and the increasing prominence of art as an important component of asset allocation have prompted more capital to flow back into the high-value art market. Finally, Guardian's professionalism in soliciting consignments, academic research, and market promotion also laid the foundation for this excellent achievement."
Ms. Zhang Hua, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and General Manager of the Jade and Crafts Department, stated: "We are very satisfied with the performance of this ancient jade special sale. This not only reflects the market's recognition of the collection value of ancient jade but also embodies collectors' love and inheritance of traditional Chinese culture and art. In the future, we will continue to deeply cultivate the ancient jade field, striving to discover and present more exquisite pieces with historical, cultural, and artistic value, providing global collectors with better collection choices."
Market analysts generally believe that the strong performance of the ancient jade sector in this China Guardian Spring Auction signals a structural rebound in the high-end art market. Against the backdrop of gradual economic recovery, capital will be more inclined to flow into art categories with scarcity, cultural connotations, and potential for preservation and appreciation. It is expected that the ancient jade market will continue to maintain steady growth in the next two years, especially for exquisite pieces with clear dating, superb craftsmanship, and good condition, whose market value still has room for further appreciation. At the same time, with the rise of a new generation of collectors, the market attention for jade with unique aesthetic tastes and cultural stories will also continue to increase. However, investors still need to remain rational, focusing on the authenticity, completeness, and market liquidity of the items, avoiding blind following.