BEIJING, November 25, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Autumn Auctions concluded successfully yesterday. The “Jijin Yicui – Important Ancient Jades” specialist sale was particularly outstanding, achieving an impressive 88% sell-through rate and a total transaction value of RMB 285 million, once again affirming the resilience and vitality of the high-end ancient jade market. Multiple rare ancient jade pieces were sold at prices significantly exceeding their estimates, demonstrating collectors' continued pursuit of exquisite ancient jades.
The undisputed highlight of the sale was the “Western Han White Jade Dragon-Chih Hook with Relief Carving,” which, after multiple rounds of intense bidding, was hammered at RMB 68 million. Including buyer's premium, the final price reached RMB 78.2 million, exceeding the previous market upper estimate by 30%. This hook features warm and delicate jade, exquisite craftsmanship, and vivid dragon-chih motifs, making it a quintessential example of Western Han jade art. Another highly anticipated piece, the “Warring States Period Celadon Jade Bi Disc with Grain Pattern,” also sold for RMB 35 million, a 45% increase from its estimate. Additionally, a “Liangzhu Culture Cong” fetched RMB 18 million, 20% above its estimate, showcasing the dual recognition of early archaic jades for their academic and collection value.
From the data, the sell-through rate for this ancient jade specialist sale reached 88%, a 5 percentage point increase from the same period last year, and the total transaction value also grew by 15% compared to last autumn's sale. Notably, all lots estimated above RMB 10 million were sold, with an average premium rate of 25%, indicating increasingly fierce competition among top collectors for scarce resources. Mid-range lots estimated between RMB 1 million and RMB 5 million also saw a high sell-through rate of 85%, demonstrating a simultaneous expansion in market breadth and depth.
Mr. Li Ming, a seasoned auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The excellent performance of Poly's ancient jade specialist sale in this autumn auction is an important signal of the current art market's recovery. Against the backdrop of a gradually stabilizing macroeconomic environment, high-net-worth individuals have significantly increased their investment confidence in ancient jades that possess scarcity, artistry, and potential for preservation and appreciation. Especially those exquisite ancient jades with clear provenance, perfect condition, and historical and cultural value, their price performance far exceeds the broader market.”
Professor Wang, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, also stated: “The ancient jade market is undergoing a structural adjustment period. Collectors are paying more attention to the historical and cultural connotations and craftsmanship of the pieces when selecting them, rather than blindly chasing. The strong performance of archaic jades and Han Dynasty jades in this sale is a testament to the improved aesthetic and connoisseurship skills of collectors. In the future, ancient jades with profound cultural heritage and unique artistic styles will continue to be favored by the market.”
Looking ahead, with the resurgence of traditional Chinese culture and the increasing youthfulness of the collector base, the ancient jade market is expected to maintain steady growth. However, market scrutiny of authenticity, condition, and cultural value will become even stricter. Both auction houses and collectors need to be more prudent and collectively maintain the healthy development of the market. The success of this Poly autumn auction undoubtedly sets a positive tone for the ancient jade market in 2027, signaling that the value of exquisite ancient jades will be further highlighted.