Warring States Jade Bi Breaks Ten Million Mark: Ancient Jade Market Enters a New Wave of Value Reassessment

Warring States Jade Bi Breaks Ten Million Mark: Ancient Jade Market Enters a New Wave of Value Reassessment

BEIJING, January 11, 2026 – China Guardian's highly anticipated Spring Auction 2026 concluded today, with a “Late Warring States Period Celadon Jade Bi Disc with Grain Pattern,” Lot No. 8883, fetching an astonishing 11,287,926 RMB. This figure significantly surpassed its estimated range of 5,081,496 - 10,162,992 RMB, becoming a major highlight of the auction. This transaction not only set a new auction record for Warring States jade bi discs in recent years but also signals that the ancient jade market, particularly the archaic jade segment, is entering a new wave of value reassessment.

#### Item Analysis: The Value Code of a Rare Treasure

This Late Warring States Period celadon jade bi disc, with a diameter of 22.5 cm, is exceptionally large for its type. Its warm jade quality, natural calcification, full and regularly arranged grain patterns, exquisite craftsmanship, and fluid lines all showcase the pinnacle of jade carving art during the Warring States period. The Warring States period was the golden age of Chinese jade development, where jade articles were not only exquisitely crafted but also imbued with rich ritualistic and cultural connotations. Grain patterns, a common decorative motif of the time, symbolized abundant harvests and endless vitality, carrying profound auspicious meanings. The perfect condition of this bi disc, its clear provenance, and its inherent historical and cultural value collectively formed the basis for its high price.

#### Market Insight: The Value Gap in Archaic Jade is Being Filled

For a long time, compared to Ming and Qing dynasty jade, archaic jade (specifically jade from before the Han Dynasty) has lagged in market recognition and price performance. This was primarily due to its scarcity, difficulty in authentication, and differences in aesthetic appreciation. However, in recent years, with the increasing knowledge level of collectors and the deeper exploration of the historical and cultural value of cultural relics and artworks, the unique charm of archaic jade is gradually being recognized by the market. The multi-million-yuan transaction of this Warring States jade bi is undoubtedly strong evidence of this trend.

We observe several key market trends:

• Deepening Academic Research Drives Value Discovery: With continuous new archaeological discoveries and in-depth academic research, the cultural connotations and artistic achievements of archaic jade are being more comprehensively presented, providing solid theoretical support for the market's understanding of its value.


• Return and Diversification of Aesthetic Concepts: Modern collectors are increasingly favoring antique, substantial, and historically rich artworks. The simple grandeur, fluid lines, and restrained charm of archaic jade align with this trend.


• Highlighting Scarcity and Irreplaceability: The existing quantity of archaic jade is far less than that of Ming and Qing jade, and its irreplaceability determines its long-term investment value. In the context of increasing global economic uncertainty, scarce cultural relics and artworks have become an important choice for hedging and asset allocation.


• International Market Attention to Chinese Archaic Jade: With the increasing international influence of Chinese culture, overseas collectors' interest in Chinese archaic jade is also growing, injecting new vitality into the archaic jade market.

The successful auction of this Warring States jade bi will undoubtedly further boost confidence in the archaic jade market. We expect that in the coming years, the archaic jade segment will continue to maintain strong growth momentum. Fine archaic jade pieces with clear provenance, perfect condition, exquisite craftsmanship, and rich cultural connotations will become the focus of market pursuit. Simultaneously, with advancements in scientific authentication methods, the difficulty of authenticating archaic jade will decrease, which will further alleviate collectors' concerns and promote healthy market development.

However, market participants should remain rational. Collecting archaic jade still requires professional knowledge and connoisseurship. For ordinary investors, it is advisable to conduct transactions through reputable auction houses and professional institutions and consult expert opinions to mitigate potential risks. In conclusion, the multi-million-yuan transaction of the Warring States jade bi is not only a successful auction but also an important milestone for the ancient jade market, particularly the archaic jade segment, towards maturity and prosperity.