【Hong Kong, November 20, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Autumn Sale 2026 concluded successfully yesterday. The 'Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art' sale, particularly the ancient jade pendant section, performed exceptionally well, achieving new highs in both total sales and sell-through rates in recent years. This once again confirms the strong resilience and collecting enthusiasm in the high-end ancient jade market.
This autumn sale featured 120 ancient jade pendant lots, covering various forms and craftsmanship from the Neolithic period to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ultimately, the total sales reached HKD 285 million, with an impressive sell-through rate of 92.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. Among them, a white jade pendant with dragon and phoenix motifs from the Warring States period, estimated at HKD 30-50 million, was fiercely contested by multiple bidders and finally hammered at HKD 82 million. Including buyer's premium, the final price reached HKD 98.4 million, becoming the 'Jade King' of the sale, an increase of 175% from its lowest estimate. Another fragmented Western Han high-relief chi-dragon motif jade bi, despite being incomplete, still sold for HKD 26 million due to its exquisite craftsmanship and rare subject matter, exceeding its upper estimate by 80%. Overall, the average premium rate for ancient jade pendants in this sale reached 45%, demonstrating collectors' pursuit of high-quality ancient jades.
Mr. Jonathan Stone, Chairman of Christie's Asia and International Director of Chinese Works of Art, stated after the auction: 'The outstanding performance of ancient jade pendants in this autumn sale fully demonstrates global collectors' deep interest in traditional Chinese culture and exquisite craftsmanship. Especially those masterpieces with clear provenance, excellent condition, and rich cultural connotations are being re-evaluated and recognized by the market. We have observed a significant increase in attention from new collector groups towards ancient jade pendants, who tend to invest in collectibles with artistic merit, rarity, and historical value.'
Ms. Li Minghua, a market analyst, pointed out that with global economic uncertainties, the investment value of the art market, especially Chinese ancient art with its safe-haven attributes, is becoming increasingly prominent. Ancient jade pendants, as important carriers of traditional Chinese culture, stand out in the collecting market due to their unique historical, cultural, and artistic value. In recent years, with in-depth academic research and widespread exhibitions, public awareness of ancient jade pendants has continuously increased, which has partly driven market price growth. Furthermore, the growing demand from high-net-worth individuals for cultural heritage and spiritual consumption also provides continuous momentum for the high-end ancient jade market.
Looking ahead, the ancient jade pendant market is expected to maintain steady growth. Experts generally believe that the following types of lots will be more favored: first, masterpieces with clear dating, excavation information, or traceable provenance; second, rare artifacts with exquisite craftsmanship, unique themes, and rich cultural connotations; and finally, well-preserved heirloom or excavated jade pieces in excellent condition. However, the market is not without challenges. The proliferation of fakes and the difficulty of authentication are long-standing issues, so collectors must seek professional appraisal and advice when entering the market. At the same time, macroeconomic factors such as global economic fluctuations and geopolitical risks may also have some impact on the art market. But overall, ancient jade pendants, as treasures of traditional Chinese culture, their long-term investment value remains highly anticipated.