Beijing, May 18, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction volume of this spring auction reached RMB 1.25 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82.5%, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This indicates a strong recovery trend in the art market, especially in the high-end jadeite sector. Among them, jadeite carvings, as the star category of this auction, performed exceptionally well, with several exquisite pieces selling for prices far exceeding their estimates, becoming the focus of market attention.
This spring auction presented over 1,200 lots, covering various categories including Chinese painting and calligraphy, porcelain and miscellaneous items, Buddhist art, and jewelry and watches. In the jewelry, watches, and jadeite special session, jadeite carvings were undoubtedly the biggest highlight. According to statistics, a total of 45 jadeite carvings were offered in this session, with 38 pieces successfully sold, achieving a high sell-through rate of 84.4%. The total transaction volume reached RMB 380 million, accounting for 30.4% of the total transaction volume of this spring auction.
Among them, a Qing Dynasty old pit imperial green glass-like jadeite carving of pine and crane symbolizing longevity, named “Fu Shou Shuang Quan” (Blessings and Longevity Complete), sparked fierce bidding among buyers on site due to its ultimate translucency, rich green color, and exquisite craftsmanship. The estimated price for this lot was RMB 80 million to 120 million, and it finally sold for a staggering RMB 155 million, with a premium rate of 29.2%, setting a new auction record for similar jadeite carvings in the past three years. Another ice-type three-color jadeite carving named “Guanyin Ci Fu” (Guanyin Bestows Blessings) sold for RMB 68 million, exceeding its highest estimate by 13.3%. These high-priced jadeite carvings fully demonstrate the market's pursuit of rare and high-quality jadeite.
Market Analysis and Trend Judgment:
The outstanding performance of this Beijing Council spring auction, especially the strong momentum of jadeite carvings, sends multiple positive signals. Firstly, with the gradual recovery of the global economy, the investment confidence of high-net-worth individuals has strengthened, and art, as an important asset allocation tool, has gained further recognition for its value. Secondly, jadeite, as an important carrier of Chinese culture, its unique oriental aesthetics and scarcity give it extremely high collection and investment value. Under current inflation expectations, the function of hard assets in preserving and increasing value is becoming increasingly prominent.
From the specific data, high-quality, rare translucency, and unique themed jadeite carvings performed far better than ordinary goods, showing a clear polarization trend. This means that buyers are more rational when choosing jadeite, preferring to invest in exquisite pieces with museum-level collection value. In addition, the rise of a new generation of collectors has injected new vitality into the jadeite market, as they show strong interest in jadeite jewelry and carvings with strong design elements and auspicious meanings.
Expert Commentary:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jadeite market analyst, pointed out: “The success of jadeite carvings in this Council spring auction is not accidental. It reflects the rigid demand of the market for top-tier jadeite. In the next few years, we expect the prices of high-quality jadeite to remain steadily increasing. At the same time, investors should pay attention to comprehensive factors such as the origin, translucency, color, craftsmanship, and historical provenance of jadeite, and avoid blindly chasing high prices. For general collectors, choosing mid-to-high-end, distinctive, and finely crafted jadeite is still a relatively stable investment strategy.”
Mr. Dong Guoqiang, Chairman of Beijing Council Auction House, stated in an interview: “We are very satisfied with the results of this spring auction. The performance of jadeite carvings, in particular, exceeded our expectations. This is not only an affirmation of our team's professional vision but also a boost to the confidence of the entire art market. In the future, we will continue to deeply cultivate the high-end art market, provide more exquisite pieces for collectors, and are committed to promoting the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese culture.”
In summary, the successful holding of the Beijing Council 2026 Spring Auction, especially the booming transactions of jadeite carvings, undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm into the long-sluggish art market. The signs of market recovery are significant, and the high-end jadeite collection market will continue to be full of opportunities and challenges in the future.