Southern Red Agate Market Reaches New Milestone: 'Three Friends of Winter' Ornament Achieves High Price, Highlighting Collection Potential

【December 27, 2025, Hong Kong】 Bonhams auction house today announced a significant sale: a Mid-Qing Dynasty carved Southern Red Agate ornament depicting the 'Three Friends of Winter' fetched RMB 725,178 (approximately USD 102,000) after spirited bidding, significantly exceeding the median of its estimated range of RMB 459,004 to RMB 918,008. This successful auction not only reaffirms the strong appeal of Southern Red Agate in the art market but also offers new insights into future collection trends.

Item Analysis: A Perfect Blend of Craftsmanship and Culture

The value of the 'Three Friends of Winter' ornament lies primarily in its exceptional material and exquisite craftsmanship. Southern Red Agate is renowned for its warm texture and vibrant red hues, with the interplay of persimmon and cherry reds being particularly prized. This piece not only features superior material and pure color, but also exhibits natural cinnabar spots, enhancing its rarity and aesthetic appeal. The carver employed various traditional techniques, including round carving, openwork, and relief, to vividly depict the pine, bamboo, and plum – the 'Three Friends of Winter'. The robustness of the pine, the elegance of the bamboo, and the resilience of the plum blossoms all demonstrate superb artistic skill and profound cultural significance. The overall composition is harmonious and deeply meaningful, perfectly embodying the spirit of perseverance and integrity cherished by traditional Chinese literati. Its clear provenance, having been part of a well-documented private North American collection, further adds to its collectible value.

Market Analysis: The Rise of Southern Red Agate and Future Trends

In recent years, Southern Red Agate, with its rich cultural heritage and unique aesthetic value, has emerged as a prominent gemstone in the art and collectibles market. Its price has soared, making it another highly sought-after jade variety after jadeite and Hetian jade. The high price achieved by this 'Three Friends of Winter' ornament is not an isolated incident but rather a microcosm of the continuous heating up of the Southern Red Agate market.

Firstly, the scarcity of resources is a core factor driving the price increase of Southern Red Agate. High-quality Southern Red Agate deposits are limited, and extraction is challenging, leading to an imbalance between supply and demand for premium raw materials. This scarcity naturally drives up its market value.

Secondly, cultural recognition and aesthetic preferences are crucial foundations for its continued popularity. The color red in Southern Red Agate symbolizes auspiciousness, festivity, and wealth in traditional Chinese culture, making it deeply beloved by Chinese people. Simultaneously, its warm texture and unique coloration align with the subtle and reserved aesthetic tastes of the East. With China's economic rise and growing cultural confidence, more people are turning to collect art pieces with distinctive Chinese traditional characteristics, a demand that Southern Red Agate perfectly meets.

Furthermore, its investment attributes are increasingly prominent. In a global economic climate marked by increasing uncertainty, tangible assets, including jewelry and jade, have become preferred options for investors seeking to mitigate risks and preserve or grow wealth. Southern Red Agate, as a category with stable appreciation potential, has attracted significant investor attention.

Looking ahead, the Southern Red Agate market is expected to maintain steady growth. However, investors and collectors should still pay attention to the following points when selecting items:

  • Quality is King: Regardless of market fluctuations, high-quality Southern Red Agate, such as pieces with pure color, fine texture, and no cracks or flaws, will always be central to value preservation and appreciation.

  • Craftsmanship Value: Exquisite carving techniques can imbue Southern Red Agate with higher artistic value and cultural connotations, elevating its collection status.

  • Cultural Significance: Themes with auspicious meanings or historical allusions are more likely to resonate and possess greater collection potential.

  • Clear Provenance: Items with reliable origins and traceable histories can effectively mitigate risks and enhance their market credibility.


This successful auction by Bonhams undoubtedly injects new vitality into the Southern Red Agate market. It not only demonstrates the immense potential of Southern Red Agate as an art piece and investment vehicle but also reminds us that while pursuing market trends, we should also focus on the intrinsic value and cultural heritage of art. For collectors, the sale of this 'Three Friends of Winter' ornament is undoubtedly a significant indicator of the Southern Red Agate market's development.