Ancient Jade Market Continues to Thrive: Warring States Celadon Jade Bi Disc Fetches Over Five Million, Highlighting Strong Momentum in Archaic Jade

Warring States Celadon Jade Bi Disc Sells for High Price, Boosting Confidence in Ancient Jade Market

On December 21, 2025, at a highly anticipated auction held by Sotheby's, a "Late Warring States Period Celadon Jade Bi Disc with Grain Pattern" was sold for a hammer price of RMB 5,067,244, significantly exceeding its minimum estimate of RMB 3,783,117, and achieving a satisfactory result within its estimated range of RMB 3,783,117 - RMB 7,566,235. This Lot No. 4390 item, with its exquisite craftsmanship, profound historical heritage, and excellent condition, once again demonstrated the strong appeal and investment value of archaic jade in the current art market.

Highlights of the Lot and Market Performance Analysis

This late Warring States period celadon jade bi disc, with its warm jade quality, stable color, neatly arranged grain patterns, and fine carving, is undoubtedly a masterpiece of Warring States jade ware. The Warring States period was a golden age for the development of Chinese jade, where jade artifacts were not only ritual objects but also symbols of status and power. The grain pattern, a common motif at the time, symbolized harvest and the continuation of life, and was highly favored by the aristocracy. The success of this auction not only affirms the artistic value of the lot itself but also reconfirms the overall market value of Warring States jade ware.

It is noteworthy that while the hammer price did not reach the upper estimate, it significantly surpassed the lower estimate, reflecting the strong demand and active bidding willingness in the market for rare and well-preserved archaic jade. In the current context of increased global economic uncertainty, the art market, especially antique artworks with historical and cultural value, is often regarded as a relatively stable investment haven. Archaic jade, due to its non-renewability, profound cultural connotations, and unique aesthetic value, is increasingly favored by collectors worldwide.

In-depth Interpretation of the Archaic Jade Market Trends

In recent years, the archaic jade market has shown the following significant trends:

• Value Return and Enhanced Recognition: With deepening academic research and growing public interest in traditional culture, the historical, artistic, and cultural value of archaic jade is being re-evaluated and widely recognized. Collectors no longer focus solely on material and carving but pay more attention to the historical stories, cultural symbolism, and heritage behind them.

• Trend towards Masterpieces and Rarity: Market demand for archaic jade is increasingly concentrated on masterpieces and rare items. Well-preserved, well-documented, exquisitely crafted, and culturally unique artifacts often fetch high prices. Ordinary or flawed items struggle to achieve high premiums.

• Increased Participation of International Collectors: With the advancement of globalization, more and more international collectors are beginning to pay attention to and collect Chinese archaic jade. They value not only its artistic merit but also consider it as part of a diversified asset allocation. The results of this Sotheby's auction partly confirm the international market's enthusiasm for Chinese archaic jade.

• Interaction between Academic Research and the Market: The latest archaeological discoveries and academic research continuously inject new vitality into the archaic jade market. For example, in-depth interpretations of the uses, symbolic meanings of motifs, and manufacturing processes of jade from specific periods can enhance collectors' understanding and appreciation of the lots, thereby influencing their market value.

Looking ahead, the archaic jade market is expected to maintain steady growth. However, the market will also face challenges, such as the difficulty of authentication and strict scrutiny of provenance legality. Therefore, for collectors, choosing reputable auction houses, thoroughly researching lot backgrounds, and seeking professional appraisal opinions are crucial.

The successful auction of this Warring States celadon jade bi disc undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm into the archaic jade market, signaling that the value of exquisite archaic jade will continue to rise. With the continuous expansion of Chinese cultural influence and the deepening understanding of Oriental art among global collectors, the status of archaic jade in the international art market will become increasingly significant.