【Beijing, November 15, 2026】The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. Among them, the ancient jade special session performed exceptionally well, with a total transaction value reaching RMB 185 million and a remarkable transaction rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. This achievement not only demonstrates the strong recovery of the ancient jade market but also indicates the immense appreciation potential of high-ancient jade masterpieces in the future.
The special session presented a total of 125 meticulously selected ancient jade pieces, covering various treasures from the Neolithic period to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The highlight of the auction was undoubtedly the “Jade Pig Dragon” from the Hongshan culture. This rare treasure, in excellent condition and with exquisite craftsmanship, was finally hammered at RMB 38 million, an impressive 52% higher than its estimated price of RMB 25 million, making it the highest-priced item of the session. Another “Green Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant” from the Spring and Autumn period also performed well, selling for RMB 15.8 million, with a premium rate of 45%. In addition, a “White Jade Grain-patterned Bi Disc” from the Warring States period sold for RMB 9.5 million, while several jade belt hooks and pendants from the Han to Tang dynasties all sold for more than 20% above their estimates, demonstrating strong market demand for well-preserved, well-documented mid-to-high-end ancient jade pieces.
From the data, the average transaction price of this ancient jade special session increased by 15% compared to the same period last year. Particularly, the high-ancient jade (Neolithic to Han Dynasty) segment accounted for 65% of the total transaction value, and its average unit price increased by 22% year-on-year. This indicates an increasing pursuit by collectors for high-ancient jade with profound historical and cultural value and scarce existence. Although Ming and Qing jade pieces had a larger transaction volume, their price increases were relatively stable, mainly concentrated in exquisite court jade and literati jade carvings.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of Poly's autumn auction ancient jade special session is the result of multiple factors. Firstly, the global economy is gradually recovering, and the art investment demand from high-net-worth individuals is rebounding. Secondly, as an important carrier of Chinese civilization, ancient jade's cultural value and scarcity make it an excellent target for hedging inflation and preserving and increasing wealth. Especially high-ancient jade, with its unique historical information and artistic charm, is gradually being recognized and sought after by more collectors. The high price achieved by the 'Jade Pig Dragon' will undoubtedly further boost market confidence and attract more capital into the high-ancient jade field.”
Mr. Wang Qiang, President of the Beijing Jade Association, also stated: “We have observed that in recent years, the younger generation of collectors has shown significantly increased interest in ancient jade, paying more attention to the cultural connotation and artistic aesthetics of the collections. At the same time, with the advancement of appraisal technology and the transparency of market information, collectors' ability to identify ancient jade is also improving, which prompts the market to focus more on genuine, exquisite, and rare items. Poly's success this time also confirms the effectiveness of the boutique strategy in the current market environment.”
Looking ahead, the industry generally believes that the ancient jade market will continue to maintain a steady growth trend, especially for high-ancient jade masterpieces with clear dating, well-documented provenance, and excellent condition, which still have huge room for appreciation. At the same time, with the enhancement of cultural confidence and the maturity of collecting concepts, ancient jade will not only be an investment product but also an important carrier for history and civilization. While focusing on market hot spots, collectors should also pay attention to in-depth research on the cultural background and artistic styles of ancient jade to achieve more substantial returns.