Qianlong White Jade Ruyi Sceptre Fetches Nearly Ten Million: Ancient Jade Market Shows Strong Buying Power Again

Qianlong White Jade Ruyi Sceptre Fetches Nearly Ten Million: Ancient Jade Market Shows Strong Buying Power Again

BEIJING, January 5, 2026 – At Poly Auction Beijing's Winter Art Auction today, a highly anticipated Qianlong Period white jade 'Fu Shou Shuang Quan' Ruyi sceptre hammered down for an astonishing RMB 9,770,814 (including buyer's premium), significantly exceeding its estimated range of RMB 4,461,771 to RMB 8,923,543. This sale once again demonstrates the strong appeal and scarcity value of top-tier ancient jade in the current art market.

This Qianlong white jade Ruyi, cataloged as LOT 2032, captivated numerous collectors during the preview with its exceptional jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism. Carved from a single, superior piece of Hetian white jade, its texture is warm and unctuous, immaculately white, with subtle natural inclusions that enhance its antique charm. The head is carved in relief with bats, peaches, and lingzhi fungus, symbolizing 'Fu Shou Shuang Quan' (Blessings and Longevity); the shaft features intertwining scrolling lotus and auspicious cloud patterns, executed with rounded cuts and a sophisticated composition; and the tail depicts a bat holding a chime, signifying 'Fu Qing You Yu' (Abundant Blessings). The entire piece boasts an elegant and grand form, with meticulous polishing, all showcasing the pinnacle of imperial jade carving during the Qianlong era.

This high-value transaction is not an isolated incident; it reflects several prominent trends in the current ancient jade collecting market:

• Continued Rise in Value for Top-Tier Lots: There is robust demand for ancient jades in excellent condition, with documented provenance, and exquisite craftsmanship, for which collectors are willing to pay a substantial premium. Such scarce resources not only possess artistic value but also carry profound historical and cultural significance, being regarded as important vehicles for asset allocation and cultural heritage preservation.

• Qianlong Imperial Jade Objects Highly Sought After: The Qianlong reign marked the zenith of jade development in the Qing Dynasty. Its imperial jade objects are renowned for their superior material selection, intricate craftsmanship, auspicious motifs, and profound symbolism. The white jade Ruyi sold today is a quintessential example of imperial jade carving from this period, and its market performance confirms the paramount status of Qianlong jade in collectors' hearts.

• Scarcity of Hetian Jade Raw Material Highlighted: The increasing depletion of high-quality Hetian white jade resources makes ancient jades carved from single, large pieces even more precious. Its natural warm texture and unique oily luster are difficult for modern imitations to replicate, which is a significant reason for its continuous appreciation in value.

• Increased Global Collector Confidence in Chinese Art: Despite global economic uncertainties, Chinese art, especially antiques with deep cultural connotations and clear historical provenance, continues to attract seasoned collectors and institutional investors worldwide. They view Chinese art as an effective means to hedge against inflation and achieve wealth preservation and growth.

Experts from Poly Auction stated that the high price achieved for this Qianlong white jade Ruyi not only sets a positive tone for the 2026 art market but also revalidates the strong vitality and investment potential of traditional Chinese cultural artworks. In the future, with more high-quality lots entering the market and the continuous improvement of collectors' aesthetic appreciation and connoisseurship, the ancient jade market is expected to maintain steady growth, especially in the realm of fine and rare pieces, where its value potential remains to be further explored.

Looking ahead, collectors investing in ancient jade should prioritize authenticity, condition, documented provenance, and cultural significance. Concurrently, the market also requires more professional appraisal institutions and auction platforms to collectively safeguard the healthy development of the ancient jade market and ensure the stable long-term growth of its value.