Beijing, November 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully today. As a highlight of this autumn auction, the jade carving art specialized session performed exceptionally well, with a total transaction volume reaching RMB 185 million and an overall transaction rate as high as 82.5%, significantly higher than the 75% in the spring auction and 68% in the same period last year. This data not only reflects the steady recovery of market demand for jade carving artworks but also indicates that the high-end boutique market is ushering in new vitality.
This autumn auction presented a total of 268 carefully selected jade carving artworks, covering everything from ancient jade to works by modern and contemporary jade carving masters. Among them, a white jade carving of 'Peace and Prosperity' from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, with its exquisite craftsmanship and rare material, became the focal point of the entire session. This lot was hammered at RMB 38 million, 52% higher than its estimated price of RMB 25 million, demonstrating the undiminished enthusiasm of top collectors for rare treasures. Another standing statue of 'Guanyin' carved from Hetian jade seed material by contemporary jade carving master Wu Desheng, sold for RMB 12 million, with a premium rate of 33%, once again confirming the market appeal of works by contemporary renowned artists.
From the data, the average unit price of this autumn auction reached RMB 690,000, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year. Among them, the transaction rate for lots priced above RMB 5 million reached 90%, while the transaction rate for lots in the RMB 1 million to RMB 5 million range also maintained a high level of 85%. This indicates that the market still has strong purchasing power for high-quality, high-value jade carving artworks. In contrast, the transaction rate for popular jade carving lots below RMB 100,000 was slightly subdued at 70%, reflecting that collectors in the current market environment are more inclined to invest in high-end pieces with potential for value preservation and appreciation.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The success of Beijing Council International's jade carving session in this autumn auction is an important signal of market confidence recovery. Especially in the context of economic uncertainty, high-end artworks, particularly those jade carvings with rare materials, exquisite craftsmanship, and clear provenance, have further highlighted their hedging and investment attributes. We have observed that the buyer structure tends to be more rational, focusing more on the artistic value, historical and cultural connotations, and the brand effect of the masters."
Professor Zhang Hua, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, also stated: "The results of this auction indicate that the jade carving art market is gradually emerging from its trough, showing a trend of structural recovery. High-quality Hetian jade seed material, works by famous artists, and ancient jade with unique historical and cultural value remain hot spots in the market. In the next few years, with the enhancement of cultural confidence and the increased professionalism of the collecting community, the jade carving art market is expected to usher in a more stable and high-quality development stage. At the same time, the market will be more discerning towards ordinary pieces and works with repetitive themes, with specialization and personalization becoming important development directions."
Looking ahead, the jade carving art market will continue to show a trend of polarization. On the one hand, top rare jade carvings and works by renowned masters will continue to be sought after, with prices expected to rise steadily; on the other hand, the mid-to-low-end market faces greater competitive pressure and needs to attract collectors through innovative design and improved craftsmanship. The success of Beijing Council International's autumn auction has undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the entire jade carving art market, signaling the formation of a more mature and healthy collecting and investment environment.