Hangzhou, November 25, 2026 – The highly anticipated Xiling Yinshe 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the 'Scholar's Objects and Ancient Jade' special session performing exceptionally well. Several exquisite jade and scholar's objects were sold at prices far exceeding expectations, once again demonstrating the resilience and vitality of the high-end art market. The total transaction value of this autumn auction reached RMB 1.52 billion, with a high success rate of 88.5%, an increase of 12.3% compared to the same period last year, indicating sustained strong demand for fine art.
In the 'Scholar's Objects and Ancient Jade' session, a Qianlong period white jade brush pot carved with 'Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove' became the highlight of the entire auction. The brush pot featured warm jade, exquisite craftsmanship, diverse facial expressions of the figures, and profound artistic conception. After multiple rounds of intense bidding, it was finally hammered at RMB 85 million, far exceeding its pre-auction estimate of RMB 50 million, with a premium rate of 70%. Another mid-Qing period spinach jade mountain carving depicting 'Scholars under Pine Trees', with its unique dark green hue and intricate relief carving techniques, attracted numerous collectors, eventually selling for RMB 32 million, a 45% increase from its estimate. Additionally, a Ming Dynasty Hetian jade pebble seal carved with 'Chilong' patterns also fetched a high price of RMB 18 million, showcasing the strong position of Ming and Qing jade carvings in the market.
Mr. Lu, General Manager of Xiling Yinshe Auction Co., Ltd., stated in an interview: “The success of this autumn auction, especially the strong performance of the jade and scholar's objects section, is attributed to our strict control over the quality of the lots and accurate judgment of market trends. High-quality, rare, and well-provenanced jade and scholar's objects continue to attract collectors even when the macro economy faces challenges. The transaction data from this auction indicates that collectors' recognition of the value of traditional cultural artworks is continuously increasing, and market confidence is strong.”
Professor Wang, a senior jade appraisal expert and Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, provided an in-depth analysis of the auction results. He pointed out: “The excellent performance of jade and scholar's objects at this Xiling autumn auction is not accidental. In recent years, with the revival of traditional culture and the growing demand for spiritual consumption, jade and scholar's objects that combine artistic, cultural, and investment value have become highly sought after. Particularly, exquisite white jade pieces from the Qianlong period, due to their superb craftsmanship, imperial background, and rarity, have always been hard currency in the market. The sky-high prices achieved by the brush pot and mountain carving further solidify the leading position of such lots in the market. At the same time, the outstanding performance of Ming Dynasty Hetian jade pebbles also indicates that the value of early jade carvings is being re-evaluated and recognized.”
From a market trend perspective, the high-end jade and scholar's objects market is expected to maintain steady growth in the coming years. On one hand, the entry of new collectors will inject new vitality into the market; on the other hand, the competition for fine resources among established collectors will become increasingly fierce. It is anticipated that jade and scholar's objects with clear provenance, excellent condition, and rich cultural connotations will continue to see their value rise. However, the market is not without challenges. Factors such as rampant fakes, inflated valuations, and global economic fluctuations still require collectors and investors to remain vigilant. In the future, auction houses will play a more important role in lot selection, academic research, and market guidance to ensure the healthy and sustainable development of the market.
The success of the Xiling Yinshe 2026 Autumn Auction undoubtedly lays a solid foundation for the upcoming 2027 Spring Auction and injects positive signals into the entire art auction market, heralding a new era of art investment full of opportunities and challenges.