【Beijing, November 28, 2026】The highly anticipated Poly 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. Among the various sessions, the “Jade Rhyme of the East – Master Chinese Jade Carvings” special sale stood out, achieving a total transaction volume of RMB 185 million, with an impressive sell-through rate of 92.5%. This performance significantly exceeded market expectations, once again affirming the strong resilience and collecting enthusiasm in the high-end jade carving art market.
This special sale featured 80 meticulously selected lots, showcasing representative works by several leading contemporary jade carving masters. The highly anticipated highlight lot, the 'Auspicious Beasts Bringing Good Fortune' Hetian jade sculpture by Chinese Arts and Crafts Master Wang Lin, fetched a staggering RMB 38 million after multiple rounds of intense bidding. Its exquisite craftsmanship, superior jade quality, and profound cultural connotations led to a 52% increase from its lowest estimate (RMB 25 million), making it the highest-priced lot of the sale. Another piece, 'Mountain and Water Serenity' a Biyu (spinach jade) mountain carving by emerging jade carving artist Li Ming, also set a new auction record for his personal works, selling for RMB 12.5 million, demonstrating the immense potential of works by the new generation of masters.
Statistically, the average price per lot in this special sale reached RMB 2.3125 million, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, 15 lots sold for over RMB 5 million, accounting for 18.75% of the total lots, fully illustrating the market's pursuit of high-quality and rare items. Furthermore, multiple lots sold at a premium of over 20% above their estimates, indicating strong buyer confidence and a continuous increase in the perceived value of jade carving artworks.
Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:
The success of Poly's autumn sale jade carving session is no accident. Zhang Hua, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “Despite the complex global economic environment, the art market, especially high-end jade carvings with profound cultural heritage and scarcity, is becoming a preferred choice for risk aversion and asset allocation. Collectors are increasingly focusing on the artistry, craftsmanship, jade quality, and the master's brand effect. The auction results clearly convey that there is strong demand and firm prices for true master-level works, especially those that integrate the essence of traditional culture with modern aesthetic innovation.”
Li Na, a jade market analyst, added: “In terms of jade material, Hetian jade seed material remains the mainstream and a high-value segment of the market. However, high-quality Biyu and Mo Yu (black jade) are also starting to gain more attention, with their price increases being significant. Additionally, the rise of younger collectors has diversified the themes and styles of works, with more contemporary and innovative pieces gradually gaining market favor. Over the next few years, we expect the market for master jade carvings to continue its steady growth, especially for masters with unique artistic styles, continuous creative ability, and high market recognition, whose works will have greater potential for value appreciation.”
Expert Commentary:
Wang Qiang, Vice President of the China Jewelry & Jade Industry Association, stated: “As an industry bellwether, Poly Auction's outstanding performance in this jade carving special sale undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the entire jade art market. This is not only an affirmation of the exquisite skills of jade carving masters but also strong support for the inheritance and innovation of excellent traditional Chinese culture. We see that after a period of adjustment, the market is gradually returning to rationality and intrinsic value. Collectors are no longer blindly pursuing 'big' or 'expensive' but are focusing more on the artistic value, cultural connotations, and collection potential of the works. This healthy collecting philosophy will drive the jade carving art market to a higher level of development.”
In conclusion, Poly's 2026 autumn sale of master jade carvings, with its excellent transaction data and positive market feedback, once again proves the strong vitality and bright prospects of China's high-end jade carving art market. In the future, we have reason to believe that jade carving artworks will continue to play a pivotal role in the art market as important cultural carriers and investment targets.