Warring States Jade Bi Achieves New Heights: Resilience and Value Return in the Ancient Jade Market

Warring States Jade Bi Achieves New Heights: Resilience and Value Return in the Ancient Jade Market

Beijing, January 12, 2026 – At Poly Auction Beijing's Winter Sale 2026, a highly anticipated “Warring States Period, Pale Celadon Jade Bi Disc with Grain Pattern” (Lot 1892) fetched RMB 3,225,676, significantly exceeding its low estimate of RMB 2,362,423 and nearing the mid-range of its high estimate of RMB 4,724,846. This sale not only reconfirms the unique position of Warring States jade in the art market but also reveals the strong resilience and trend of value return in the ancient jade market amidst complex economic conditions.

Item Analysis: The Artistic and Historical Value of the Warring States Jade Bi

This Warring States pale celadon jade bi disc, measuring 21.5 cm in diameter, boasts a warm, lustrous jade quality and pure color, with natural localized calcification and a rich, aged patina. Both sides are fully adorned with meticulously arranged, plump grain patterns, executed with superb carving techniques and fluid lines, fully demonstrating the pinnacle of jade carving craftsmanship during the Warring States period. Grain patterns, a classic motif of Warring States jade, not only possess aesthetic value but also embody ancient wishes for abundant harvests, vitality, and continuous lineage. As an important ritual object and ornament, the bi disc was widely used in sacrifices, covenants, and burials during the Warring States period, symbolizing social status, identity, and power. This large, well-preserved bi disc with clear provenance is undoubtedly valuable physical evidence for studying Warring States jade culture and aesthetic tastes.

Market Analysis: Resilience and Investment Logic of the Ancient Jade Sector

The successful sale of this Warring States jade bi is not an isolated incident but a microcosm of the overall positive trend in the ancient jade market. Despite global economic uncertainties and a polarized art market, the Chinese ancient art sector, represented by ancient jade, has shown remarkable resilience. Several profound reasons underpin this trend:

• Scarcity and Irreplaceability: Ancient jade, especially archaic jade, is limited in quantity, and its material, craftsmanship, and historical and cultural connotations are irreplaceable. Over time, its scarcity will become even more pronounced, thus supporting its long-term value.


• Cultural Identity and Aesthetic Return: With China's economic rise and growing cultural confidence, domestic collectors' identification with traditional Chinese culture has increased. The profound historical heritage and Eastern philosophical thought embodied in ancient jade resonate with contemporary aesthetics, attracting more high-net-worth individuals.


• Safe-Haven Asset Attribute: Amidst inflation expectations and increased volatility in financial markets, high-quality artworks, particularly ancient jade with clear historical and cultural attributes, are regarded as effective safe-haven assets. Their value is less susceptible to short-term market fluctuations and possesses strong preservation and appreciation capabilities.


• Academic Research Value: For scholars and cultural institutions, archaic jade is an important vehicle for studying ancient society, culture, and technology. The recognition of its academic value indirectly enhances its market value.

Looking ahead, the ancient jade market will exhibit a more refined and specialized development trend. Collectors and investors will pay more attention to the condition, craftsmanship, provenance, and cultural connotations of auction items. Exquisite ancient jade pieces with clear dating, well-documented provenance, excellent condition, and typical period characteristics will continue to be highly sought after. Simultaneously, with advancements in scientific authentication methods and deepening academic research, the authentication and valuation of ancient jade will become more scientific and rigorous, helping to purify the market environment and boost collector confidence.

The successful auction of this Warring States pale celadon jade bi disc undoubtedly injects a strong boost into the ancient jade market. It not only highlights the profound richness of ancient Chinese jade culture but also signals that, driven by rational investment and cultural return, the ancient jade market will enter a more stable and prosperous development phase. For collectors, this presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring professional insight and profound knowledge to discover and safeguard these artistic treasures that carry national memory.