【Hong Kong】May 10, 2026 – Sotheby's Hong Kong Spring Auction's 'Jadeite Splendor: Exquisite Qing Dynasty Jade Carvings' special sale concluded successfully. This dedicated session presented 120 exquisite Qing Dynasty archaic and imperial jade carvings, achieving a total sales figure of HKD 185 million, with an impressive sell-through rate of 88%, significantly exceeding market expectations. Among them, a magnificent white jade carved 'Nine Dragons Playing in the Sea' covered vase from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty fetched HKD 48 million, becoming the top lot of the sale, exceeding its estimate of HKD 25 million to HKD 35 million by nearly 40%.
A highlight of this auction was the strong performance of several archaic jade carvings. For instance, an early Qing Dynasty celadon jade carved 'Chilong Offering Auspiciousness' twin-handled censer sold for HKD 22 million, exceeding its estimate of HKD 12 million to HKD 18 million by over 22%. Another mid-Qing Dynasty spinach jade carved 'Scholars Under Pine Trees' boulder also achieved HKD 15 million, demonstrating the market's continued pursuit of exquisitely crafted and uniquely themed Qing Dynasty archaic jade carvings.
From a data perspective, both the sell-through rate and premium rate of this Qing Dynasty jade carving sale performed exceptionally well. The overall sell-through rate of 88% represents a 13 percentage point increase compared to the 75% level in the same period last year, indicating a significant boost in market confidence. The average premium rate reached 25%, with some exquisite pieces even exceeding a 50% premium, reflecting strong collector demand for rare and high-quality jade carvings.
Mr. Li Mingzhe, Head of Chinese Works of Art at Sotheby's Asia, stated in an interview: “The success of this Qing Dynasty jade carving sale once again confirms the strong appeal of high-quality, well-provenanced Qing Dynasty jade carvings in the current art market. Especially those with imperial provenance, exquisite craftsmanship, and excellent preservation, their value continues to rise steadily. We observe that new collectors are showing increasing interest in Qing Dynasty jade carvings, focusing more on the artistic value and historical legacy of the collection rather than merely the rarity of the material.”
Professor Wang, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The results of this auction send several important signals. Firstly, the Qing Dynasty jade market is gradually emerging from the adjustment period of the past few years and entering a steady growth channel. Secondly, collectors' aesthetic appreciation and connoisseurship of jade carvings are continuously improving, leading them to prefer exquisite pieces with cultural connotations and artistic value. Finally, the improvement in the global economic environment also provides strong support for the high-end art market. It is expected that in the next two years, Qing Dynasty jade carvings, especially imperial and archaic jade carvings, will remain market hotspots, with their prices likely to maintain an annual growth rate of 5% to 10%.”
The success of this auction undoubtedly injected a strong boost of confidence into the upcoming autumn sales. The market generally believes that with the gradual recovery of the global economy and the sustained increase in collectors' interest in art investment, the Qing Dynasty jade market will usher in broader development prospects.