Imperial Green Jadeite Achieves New Heights: Zhongmao Shengjia's 'Auspicious Beast' Pendant Sells for Over Four Million, Market Confidence Continues to Soar

January 10, 2026, Beijing – At Zhongmao Shengjia Auction House's Winter Art Auction, a highly anticipated Imperial Green Jadeite 'Auspicious Beast' pendant achieved an astonishing hammer price of ¥4,281,735 RMB, significantly exceeding its estimated range of ¥2,073,634 - ¥4,147,269. This outcome once again confirms the strong performance and solid position of top-tier jadeite in the art market. This successful transaction not only injects strong confidence into the auction market for the new year but also provides a valuable case study for a deeper analysis of current jadeite market trends.

Highlighted Item and Value Analysis

The core value of this Lot 4971 Imperial Green Jadeite pendant lies in its unparalleled jade quality. 'Imperial Green' represents the highest color standard for jadeite, requiring the hue to be 'positive, bright, rich, and even' – meaning pure, vivid, highly saturated, and uniformly distributed. This pendant perfectly meets these stringent criteria, exhibiting a deep, rich emerald color, reminiscent of a bamboo forest after a fresh rain, full of vitality. Coupled with its glassy texture, which is crystal clear and highly lustrous, the jadeite's color appears even more dynamic as light passes through it, displaying a significant fluorescence – a truly rare characteristic in jadeite.

From a craftsmanship perspective, the pendant employs exquisite relief and openwork techniques, depicting the auspicious beast with lifelike detail. The beast's powerful yet agile form not only imbues the pendant with profound cultural significance but also enhances its artistic value. Furthermore, its clear provenance – formerly from the renowned Hong Kong private collection 'Jade Pavilion' – adds a layer of historical and collectible depth, further boosting its market appeal.

In-depth Market Trend Analysis

This successful auction of the Imperial Green Jadeite pendant is not an isolated incident; it reflects several significant trends in the current art market, particularly in the high-end jewelry and jadeite sector:

  • Scarcity and Value Preservation/Appreciation: Imperial green jadeite, due to its non-renewable resources and ultimate color quality, has always been a favorite among collectors. In a context of increasing global economic uncertainty, high-quality, scarce artworks are seen as prime choices for hedging against inflation and achieving asset preservation and appreciation. This above-estimate sale once again proves the 'hard currency' nature of top-tier jadeite.


  • Aesthetic Return and Cultural Identity: With China's economic rise and growing cultural confidence, there's an increasing appreciation and demand for traditional cultural artworks. Jadeite, as an important carrier of Chinese jade culture, its auspicious symbolism and Eastern aesthetics are favored by more collectors. The auspicious beast motif, in particular, is a traditional Chinese symbol of good fortune and protection, aligning perfectly with modern spiritual pursuits.


  • Importance of Brand and Reputation: Zhongmao Shengjia, as a prominent domestic auction house, laid the foundation for this auction's success with its professional appraisal team, rigorous item selection process, and extensive client network. Buyer trust in the auction house is one of the key factors contributing to high-value transactions.


  • Integrated Online and Offline Auction Model: While specific data isn't disclosed, it can be inferred that modern auctions commonly adopt simultaneous online and offline bidding, expanding the reach of bidders, especially attracting potential buyers globally, thereby increasing the likelihood of sale and premium potential.


Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the market for top-tier jadeite is expected to maintain steady growth. As global wealth accumulates and the concept of art investment becomes more widespread, rare and high-quality jadeite will continue to be highly sought after. However, the market will also place greater emphasis on authenticity, quality, provenance, and cultural connotations of the items. For investors and collectors, a deep understanding of jadeite knowledge and choosing reputable auction houses and professional institutions will be crucial for successful investment. Simultaneously, with the rise of younger collectors, jadeite designs and themes will diversify to meet different aesthetic demands, but classic categories like Imperial Green will remain the 'hard currency' in the market.

This outstanding performance of the 'Auspicious Beast' pendant undoubtedly marks a strong start for the 2026 art market, signaling a vibrant and opportunity-filled year for collectors.