【Hangzhou, November 18, 2026】The highly anticipated Xiling Yinshe 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The 'Jijin Leshi · Ancient Jade Session' performed exceptionally well, achieving a total transaction value of RMB 185 million, with an impressive overall sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. The success of this session not only reaffirmed the rare value of high-quality ancient jades but also injected strong confidence into the currently somewhat cautious art market.
This ancient jade session featured a total of 126 exquisite lots, covering jade artifacts from the Neolithic period to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, high-ancient jades stood out, becoming the focal point of the auction. A 'Warring States Period Early Celadon Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant', estimated at RMB 28 million to 35 million, with its exquisite craftsmanship, perfect condition, and clear provenance, ultimately fetched RMB 48.5 million after multiple rounds of intense bidding, achieving a premium rate of 73.2% and setting a new auction record for Warring States period jade pendants in recent years. Another 'Liangzhu Culture Jade Cong with Deity and Beast Mask Motif', estimated at RMB 15 million to 20 million, sold for RMB 26.8 million, a premium of 34%, demonstrating the market's deep recognition of the cultural connotations of prehistoric jades.
Mid-to-low-priced lots also performed well. Many jade belt hooks, bi discs, and sword ornaments from the Han to Tang dynasties generally sold for 15% to 30% above their upper estimate range. For instance, a 'Han Dynasty White Jade Chi Dragon Motif Belt Hook', estimated at RMB 1.2 million to 1.8 million, eventually sold for RMB 2.35 million, a 30.6% increase. This indicates that collectors still maintain a strong purchasing desire for common ancient jades with clear dating, good condition, and certain artistic value.
Mr. Zhang Ming, Director of the Jade Department at Xiling Yinshe Auction Co., Ltd., stated in an interview: "The success of this ancient jade session is primarily due to our strict control over the quality of the lots and in-depth academic research. Especially high-ancient jades, their historical, cultural, and artistic values are irreplaceable. Secondly, there is always a rigid demand for exquisite ancient jades in the market, especially with increasing global economic uncertainties, high-quality artworks are seen as an asset allocation with greater potential for value preservation and appreciation. This auction also observed a growing interest in ancient jades among new collectors, who pay more attention to the cultural stories and artistic aesthetics of the collections."
Professor Li Wenbo, a senior jade appraisal expert and Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, analyzed: "The performance of Xiling Yinshe's autumn auction ancient jade session is an important barometer for the current art market. The strong performance of high-ancient jades reflects the market's pursuit of scarcity and cultural value. At the same time, the steady transactions of mid-to-low-priced lots also indicate that the market is returning to rationality, and collectors are more inclined to choose collections that have been tested by the market and have clear value support. It is expected that in the next few years, high-quality, well-provenanced, and story-rich ancient jades will continue to be a hot spot in the market, while ordinary, uncharacteristic, or questionable lots will face greater challenges in market liquidity. Collectors must pay attention to professional appraisal and provenance verification when entering the market."
From an overall trend perspective, the ancient jade market is undergoing a structural adjustment period. Although the overall transaction volume may not experience explosive growth, the prices of exquisite ancient jades will remain strong, even setting new records. Market confidence, after experiencing fluctuations in the past few years, has shown a steady recovery, especially under the guidance of professional auction houses. The academic and professional nature of ancient jade collecting will be further enhanced, attracting more high-net-worth individuals. The success of this Xiling Yinshe autumn auction undoubtedly sets a positive tone for the ancient jade market in 2027.