BEIJING, November 25, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly Auction 2026 Autumn Sale recently concluded with remarkable success. This auction, particularly highlighted by its exquisite high-end Bi Yu (spinach green jade) lots, became a focal point of the market. The results indicate that despite ongoing global economic challenges, the demand for high-quality jade artistry remains robust, and buyer confidence is steadily recovering.
This autumn sale featured over 200 fine jade artifacts, with the high-end Bi Yu section drawing particular attention. According to official data from Poly Auction, the Bi Yu special session achieved a total turnover of RMB 185 million, with an impressive sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. Among them, a 'Qing Dynasty Qianlong Period Bi Yu Carved Auspicious Dragon and Auspicious Omen Brush Pot,' weighing 2.5 kilograms, fetched RMB 38 million, representing a 35.7% premium over its upper estimate (RMB 28 million). This vividly demonstrates the rarity and collectible value of top-tier Bi Yu in the market. Another piece, a 'Ming Dynasty Bi Yu Carved Immortal's Birthday Mountain,' sold for RMB 15.5 million, exceeding its estimate by 29.2%. Overall, the average premium rate for high-end Bi Yu lots reached 22%, a 5 percentage point increase from the same period last year, indicating a continuous rise in collectors' appreciation for high-quality Bi Yu.
From a macroeconomic perspective, the success of this auction undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the somewhat subdued art market. Mr. Wang, President of Poly Auction China Region, stated in an interview: “We have observed that the market consistently maintains strong purchasing power for exquisite Bi Yu pieces with clear provenance, superb craftsmanship, and superior jade quality. The outstanding performance of this autumn sale not only confirms our judgment on the potential of the high-end jade market but also reflects investors' demand for the preservation and appreciation of hard assets in an increasingly uncertain environment. Especially, the revival of traditional Chinese culture has further fueled the enthusiasm for collecting jade artworks.”
Professor Li, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The data from this Poly Autumn Sale, particularly the strong performance of the high-end Bi Yu segment, conveys several key signals. Firstly, the resilience and appreciation potential of top-tier jade masterpieces remain significant, with their value unaffected by short-term market fluctuations. Secondly, the buyer demographic is shifting, with the entry of younger generation collectors and new high-net-worth individuals bringing fresh vitality and aesthetic preferences to the market. They place more emphasis on the artistry, cultural connotations, and uniqueness of the works. Lastly, digital marketing and global promotion strategies have broadened the audience for the lots, attracting more international buyers.”
Looking ahead, Professor Li predicts that with the gradual recovery of the global economy and the strengthening of Chinese cultural confidence, the high-end jade market, especially categories like Hetian jade, jadeite, and Bi Yu, will continue to maintain a steady growth trend. He advises collectors to pay more attention to the origin, quality, carving, historical provenance, and cultural symbolism of jade when investing to ensure the long-term value of their collections. Concurrently, auction houses need to continue to deeply cultivate the market, discover more potential artworks, and meet the needs of different collectors through diversified services.
The successful conclusion of this Poly Autumn Sale not only marks a positive end to the 2026 art market but also lays a solid foundation for market development in 2027. The exceptional performance of high-end Bi Yu will undoubtedly lead new trends in jade collecting.