【Beijing, November 15, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total transaction volume of RMB 2.85 billion, an increase of 6.34% compared to RMB 2.68 billion in the 2025 autumn auction. The overall sell-through rate remained at 78.2%, demonstrating the market's continuous pursuit of exquisite artworks and scarce resources. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Master Collections' special sale performed exceptionally well, becoming the highlight of this autumn auction.
Master Collections Special Sale: Exquisite Items Emerge, Repeatedly Setting New Records
This autumn auction featured 32 special sales, with the 'Master Collections' special sale attracting numerous collectors and institutions with its unique historical value and artistic charm. This session presented a total of 120 lots, with 112 items successfully sold, achieving a high sell-through rate of 93.3% and a total transaction volume of RMB 780 million, contributing nearly 30% to the total transaction volume of this autumn auction.
The most eye-catching lot was a 'White Jade Carved Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Vase' from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. This vase, formerly owned by the renowned collector Mr. Wang Shixiang, boasts a grand form, warm jade quality, and exquisite craftsmanship. It was finally hammered at RMB 88 million, exceeding the upper estimate by 30%, becoming the highest-priced item in this session. Another 'Ink Jade Landscape and Figure Screen' from Zhang Daqian's collection, with its unique material and profound scholarly charm, attracted fierce bidding from several buyers and was finally sold for RMB 35 million, 25% higher than the estimate. In addition, a 'Jadeite Carved Peach Ruyi Scepter' from the Qi Baishi family collection, with its vibrant colors and auspicious symbolism, sold for RMB 18 million, achieving a premium rate of 40%.
Jade Market: Steady Growth, Significant Premium for Exquisite Pieces
As a traditional strong segment of China Guardian, the jade special sale in this autumn auction performed steadily. A total of 260 jade lots were offered, with 205 items sold, achieving a sell-through rate of 78.8% and a total transaction volume of RMB 420 million. High-quality Hetian jade and jadeite remained the main force in the market. A 'Hetian Jade Seed Material Rough Stone' weighing 500 grams, due to its natural skin color and delicate texture, sold for RMB 12 million, 15% higher than the estimate. A 'Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace', with its ultimate color and rarity, sold for RMB 65 million, once again proving the market appeal of top-tier jadeite.
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The success of this China Guardian autumn auction, especially the booming 'Master Collections' special sale, once again confirms the strong market demand for exquisite artworks with clear provenance and well-documented circulation. In the current global economic climate, high-net-worth individuals are more inclined to allocate funds to hard assets with potential for value preservation and appreciation, and artworks from master collections are undoubtedly among the best."
Regarding the jade market, Ms. Wang Li, Vice President of the China Gem & Jade Association, stated: "In 2026, the Chinese jade market showed a steady upward trend. The scarcity of high-end jadeite and Hetian jade determines their firm prices, and even premiums. The mid-to-low-end market, on the other hand, focuses more on design and craftsmanship. In the future, with the increasing consumer awareness of jade culture, personalized and customized jade products will have greater development space."
From the data, the increase in transaction volume and high sell-through rate of this autumn auction indicate that despite macroeconomic challenges, the art market, especially the traditional Chinese art and rare jade market, still demonstrates strong resilience and vitality. Collectors' pursuit of artistic value, historical heritage, and scarcity will continue to drive the market towards higher quality and greater depth. It is expected that in the next two years, the value of master collections and high-quality jade will continue to rise steadily, becoming a hot spot for investment and collection.