Beijing, May 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully today, achieving a total transaction volume of RMB 1.25 billion, with an impressive sell-through rate of 82.3%. This spring auction highlighted a series of exquisite Bi Yu jade pieces, which not only achieved remarkable sales but also further confirmed the strong resilience and investment value demonstrated by the high-end jade market in the current economic climate.
The spring auction featured 12 special sessions, covering various categories such as Chinese paintings and calligraphy, porcelain and miscellaneous items, and ancient books. Among them, the “Heavenly Creations – Important Jade and Stone Artifacts” session became the focal point of the entire auction, with a total transaction volume of RMB 320 million and a sell-through rate of 91.5%. Particularly noteworthy was the outstanding performance of the Bi Yu jade masterpieces in this session.
Several significant Bi Yu jade pieces exceeded market expectations. For instance, a “Qing Dynasty Qianlong Period Bi Yu Carved Dragon and Phoenix Covered Vase” was hammered down at an astonishing price of RMB 88 million, far exceeding its pre-auction estimate (RMB 50-70 million), representing a remarkable increase of 25.7%. This piece became the “King of Jade” for this spring auction. Its grand size, exquisite carving, fine and warm jade texture, and stable color attracted fierce bidding from multiple collectors. Another piece, a “Bi Yu Carved Immortal Celebrating Birthday Mountain Scenery,” ultimately sold for RMB 45 million. Compared to its previous sale price of RMB 38 million in the autumn auction of 2018, it achieved a steady growth of 18.4%, demonstrating the long-term value preservation and appreciation potential of such high-quality Bi Yu jade.
In addition, a batch of mid-priced Bi Yu literati objects also performed well. For example, a set of “Mid-Qing Dynasty Bi Yu Carved Eighteen Arhats Hand-held Pieces” sold for RMB 6.8 million, exceeding the upper estimate by 30%, indicating strong market interest in well-preserved Bi Yu small items with auspicious themes.
Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of the Bi Yu jade session at this Council International spring auction is not accidental. In recent years, with the revival of traditional Chinese culture and the accumulation of national wealth, high-end jade, especially Bi Yu jade with historical and cultural heritage and scarcity, has continuously been sought after in the market. The auction data shows that collectors’ aesthetic and investment philosophies for jade are becoming more mature, with greater emphasis on jade quality, carving, form, and traceable provenance. In the coming years, we expect the market demand for high-quality Bi Yu jade to remain strong, with prices likely to rise steadily, especially for rare colored, finely crafted heirloom pieces, which have significant investment return potential.”
Ms. Wang Li, Vice President of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, also stated: “As an important component of Hetian jade, Bi Yu jade resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Coupled with its unique green hue that aligns with oriental aesthetics, its market recognition is extremely high. The results of this auction further validate the industry’s optimistic outlook on the Bi Yu jade market. It is worth noting that the entry-level and mid-to-low-end Bi Yu jade markets also show active trends, indicating that jade collecting is becoming more widespread. However, we also remind investors that amidst market prosperity, it is still necessary to guard against fakes and inferior products. Professional authentication and clear provenance are key to investing in jade.”
The successful conclusion of the Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Auction not only injected new vitality into the art market but also provided positive signals for the future development of Bi Yu jade and the entire jade sector. Driven by collectors and investors, the Chinese jade market is moving towards a more mature and standardized direction.