【Beijing, May 20, 2026】The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The “Treasures of Jade: Masterpieces of Contemporary Chinese Jade Carving” special session was particularly outstanding, achieving a total transaction volume of RMB 185 million, with an impressive sell-through rate of 92.3%, far exceeding market expectations. This auction result not only demonstrates the strong market resilience of high-end jade carving art but also injects a shot in the arm for the currently somewhat sluggish art market.
The special session featured 80 meticulously selected lots, covering representative works by numerous national and provincial-level jade carving masters. Among them, the Hetian jade seed material carving 'Auspicious Beasts' by Chinese Arts and Crafts Master Wang Zuguang fetched the top price of RMB 38 million, setting a new record for similar jade carving works in the past three years, representing a premium of 52% over its upper estimate (RMB 25 million). Another piece, a jasper 'Mountain and Water Serenity' brush pot carved by emerging jade carving artist Yang Shihua, was hammered at RMB 12 million, showing a remarkable increase of 60%, indicating the market's pursuit of potential high-value assets.
From the data, the average transaction price per lot in this special session reached RMB 2.3125 million, an increase of nearly 28.5% compared to the average transaction price of RMB 1.8 million for similar sessions in the 2025 autumn auction. It is noteworthy that high-quality jade carvings estimated above RMB 5 million achieved a 100% sell-through rate, with most selling at a premium. This suggests that amid increasing macroeconomic uncertainties, capital is accelerating its flow towards top-tier artworks with scarcity, artistic value, and potential for preservation and appreciation.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of Poly's jade carving special session in this spring auction is not accidental. It reflects several core trends: First, the market's recognition of famous artists' works continues to rise, especially for masters with national titles or high reputations in the industry, whose artistic and collection values have formed a consensus. Second, Hetian jade seed material, as a scarce resource, still possesses strong value preservation and appreciation attributes, with top-tier seed material works becoming hard currency. Finally, the emergence of a new generation of jade carving artists has brought new vitality and aesthetics to the market, and their works are gradually gaining favor among high-end collectors.”
Professor Zhang Hua, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, also stated: “The results of this auction once again prove that the jade carving art market shows a clear polarization. Ordinary jade articles and products lacking artistic merit face significant pressure, while master-level works that integrate exquisite craftsmanship, unique creativity, and profound cultural connotations are seeing their market value rise against the trend. Collectors are becoming more rational in their choices, focusing more on the artistic quality, scarcity, and clear provenance of the works.”
Looking ahead, industry insiders generally believe that the high-end jade carving art market will continue to maintain steady growth, especially in master-level works and rare materials. With the continuous enhancement of China's traditional cultural confidence and the increased demand for cultural and artistic consumption from high-net-worth individuals, jade carving art, as a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, will further highlight its collection and investment value. However, the market will also place higher demands on the quality of works, the reputation of masters, and the authenticity of materials, which will undoubtedly push the entire industry towards a more standardized and professional development.