【Beijing, May 18, 2026】The highly anticipated China Guardian 2026 Spring Auction recently concluded with great success. The Contemporary Jade Carving special session, in particular, performed exceptionally well, achieving a total transaction volume of RMB 185 million and a remarkable sell-through rate of 92.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. This achievement not only set a new auction record for the contemporary jade carving sector in recent years but also reaffirmed that the high-end art market, especially contemporary jade carving works with unique cultural connotations, is ushering in a new wave of investment.
The Contemporary Jade Carving special session at this spring auction featured 120 exquisite lots, covering various materials such as Hetian jade, jadeite, and Nanhong agate. The themes were diverse, and the craftsmanship was superb. Among them, the highly anticipated highlight lot – a Hetian jade seed material 'Auspicious Beast' ornament created by Chinese Arts and Crafts Master Wu Jinxing – was hammered at an astonishing price of RMB 28 million, with a premium rate of 65%, becoming the highest-priced lot of the session. Another hand-held piece, 'Sound of Mountains and Rivers' carved from black jade, designed and sculpted by young jade carving master Li Ming, also sold for RMB 6.8 million, an increase of 45% over its estimate. Overall, more than 30% of the lots in this session sold above their high estimates, with an average premium rate of 25%.
Ms. Wang Xiaoli, Vice President of China Guardian Auctions and General Manager of the Jade and Crafts Department, stated in an interview: “The success of this Contemporary Jade Carving special session is attributed to our strict control over the quality of the lots and our accurate judgment of market trends. We have observed that collectors' awareness and recognition of contemporary jade carving are rapidly increasing. They tend to collect works that possess artistic value, scarcity, and cultural heritage. Especially master-level works and innovative pieces by young artists are in strong demand.”
From a market analysis perspective, the sustained strength of the contemporary jade carving sector is not accidental. Firstly, the scarcity of raw materials is a crucial foundation for its value support. High-quality Hetian jade seed materials, old-mine jadeite, and other resources are increasingly depleted, making every exquisite jade carving possess unique collection value. Secondly, contemporary jade carving artists, while inheriting traditional craftsmanship, boldly incorporate modern aesthetics and innovative concepts, making their works more contemporary and artistically appealing. Finally, with the improvement of the national economy and the strengthening of cultural confidence, more and more high-net-worth individuals are beginning to pay attention to and invest in art. Contemporary jade carving, with its gentle and understated oriental aesthetics, has become an important component of their asset allocation.
Professor Zhang, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The outstanding performance of contemporary jade carving at this Guardian spring auction sends several clear market signals. First, the pursuit of top jade carving masters' works has reached a new height, and their artistic value and brand effect are fully reflected. Second, the works of the younger generation of jade carving artists are gradually gaining market recognition, and their innovation injects new vitality into the industry. Third, investors' collection concepts are becoming more mature, focusing more on the artistic value, cultural connotation, and potential for heritage of the works, rather than just the material itself. It is expected that the contemporary jade carving market will maintain steady growth in the next five years, especially in master-level exquisite pieces and distinctive innovative works, where the appreciation potential is still considerable.”
Looking ahead, China Guardian will continue to delve deep into the contemporary jade carving market, committed to discovering more promising artists and high-quality works, providing collectors with a broader range of collection choices and more professional services. At the same time, with the participation of more international collectors, Chinese contemporary jade carving is expected to occupy a more important position in the global art market.