Beijing, November 15, 2026 – China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the 'Brilliance of Jade – Important Jade Carvings' special session performing exceptionally well. This session featured a total of 120 exquisite Hetian jade carvings, with 108 pieces successfully sold, achieving a remarkable 90% sell-through rate. The total transaction value exceeded RMB 280 million, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period last year, once again affirming the strong growth momentum in the high-end Hetian jade market.
The undisputed highlight of this auction was LOT 0188, a 'Qianlong Period, White Jade Carving of Immortal Mountains and Pavilions'. This precious piece, with its warm jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and grand composition, attracted fierce bidding from numerous collectors, eventually hammering for RMB 82 million, far exceeding its pre-auction estimate of RMB 50 million, with a premium rate of 64%. Another highly anticipated piece, the 'Ming Dynasty, Celadon Jade Auspicious Beast Carving', also sold for RMB 35 million, an increase of 25% over its estimate. Overall, the session saw 8 lots selling for over RMB 10 million and 15 lots selling between RMB 5 million and RMB 10 million, demonstrating strong market demand for premium Hetian jade.
Mr. Zhang Hua, Head of China Guardian's Jade Department, stated in an interview: "The outstanding performance of Hetian jade carvings in this autumn auction fully demonstrates the undiminished pursuit of rare, high-quality Hetian jade by collectors. Particularly, top-tier works that combine historical and cultural value, artistic aesthetic value, and scarcity are continuously being re-evaluated and their market value enhanced. We have observed a significant increase in the awareness and purchasing power of new collector groups for Hetian jade, injecting new vitality into the market."
Professor Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: "Judging from the data from this Guardian autumn auction, the Hetian jade market shows a polarized trend. On the one hand, prices for top-tier exquisite pieces are repeatedly setting new records, highlighting their value preservation and appreciation attributes; on the other hand, prices for mid-to-low-end common pieces are relatively stable, or even show some adjustments. This indicates that the market is becoming more rational, with collectors focusing more on core values such as jade quality, craftsmanship, subject matter, and clear provenance. In the future, Hetian jade works with clear origins, complete condition, and unique artistic styles will continue to be sought after in the market."
From a macro-economic perspective, despite numerous global economic uncertainties, the Chinese art market, especially the Hetian jade sector with its profound cultural heritage, has demonstrated strong resilience. With the continuous accumulation of national wealth and the strengthening of cultural confidence, high-end art investment has become an important component of asset allocation. As a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, Hetian jade's unique collection attributes and cultural symbolism give it an irreplaceable position in investment and collection.
Looking ahead, the Hetian jade market is expected to maintain steady growth. However, collectors should remain cautious when entering the market, conduct thorough research, and seek guidance from professional institutions. With technological advancements and increased information transparency, the market will become more standardized, contributing to the healthy development of Hetian jade collecting culture.