Christie's Autumn Sale 2026: Ancient Jade Pendants Achieve Remarkable Results, Market Enthusiasm Continues to Rise

【Hong Kong, November 18, 2026】Christie's, a world-leading art auction house, concluded its 2026 Autumn Sale today with remarkable results from its 'Treasures of China: Ancient Jade Pendants' specialist sale. The sale achieved a total of HKD 285 million, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates, once again confirming the robust vitality of the high-end ancient jade market and collectors' sustained pursuit of rare treasures.

This specialist sale featured 120 meticulously selected ancient jade pendants, spanning various historical periods including the Hongshan culture, Liangzhu culture, Shang and Zhou dynasties, Han dynasty, and up to the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The diverse range and exquisite craftsmanship were evident throughout. Ultimately, the sale achieved an impressive sell-through rate of 92.5%, with 8 lots selling for more than twice their estimated prices and 3 lots setting new auction records for their respective categories, fully demonstrating the strong market demand for high-quality, culturally significant ancient jade pendants.

Key Lot Transaction Data:

* Lot 101: Western Han White Jade Chi Dragon and Grain Pattern Bi Disc. This jade bi disc, measuring 18.5 cm in diameter, boasts a lustrous jade quality and exquisite carving. The vivid chi dragon and neatly arranged grain patterns are notable. After multiple rounds of intense bidding, it was hammered down for HKD 58 million, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of HKD 20 million to HKD 30 million, representing a remarkable increase of 93.3%. The buyer was an anonymous Asian private collector.
* Lot 108: Liangzhu Culture Jade Cong with Deity and Beast Mask Motif. Standing 12 cm tall, this cong features a regular form and clear motifs, making it a masterpiece of Liangzhu culture jade ware. It sold for HKD 32 million, an increase of 113.3% compared to its estimate of HKD 10 million to HKD 15 million, and was acquired by a European museum institution.
* Lot 115: Shang Dynasty Celadon Jade String-Pattern Huang. Measuring 15 cm in length, this huang exhibits a celadon green jade quality with distinct historical patination. Its archaic form and flowing string patterns led to a sale price of HKD 18 million, exceeding its estimate of HKD 8 million to HKD 12 million by 50%.
* Lot 120: Ming Dynasty Black Jade Openwork 'Scholar Under Pine' Pendant. This exquisitely crafted jade pendant, with its profound artistic conception, ultimately sold for HKD 9.5 million, a significant increase of 90% over its estimate of HKD 3 million to HKD 5 million.

Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:

The success of Christie's autumn sale of ancient jade pendants once again confirms the following market trends:

• Value Resurgence of High-Ancient Jade: The recognition and appreciation for high-ancient jade from periods such as Hongshan, Liangzhu, Shang, and Zhou continue to grow. Their historical value, cultural connotations, and scarcity are core factors driving price increases. Particularly, high-quality pieces with clear provenance, excellent condition, and exquisite motifs often fetch premium prices.


• Effective Boutique Strategy: Auction houses are increasingly focusing on a 'less is more' principle in consignment, strictly controlling the quality of lots to ensure that every jade pendant offered possesses high artistic and collectible value, thereby attracting top collectors worldwide.


• Dominance of Asian Collectors: Asian collectors, especially those from Greater China, remain the primary force in the ancient jade market. Their strong purchasing power and high identification with traditional culture are key drivers of market development.


• Increased International Institutional Participation: The acquisition of the Liangzhu jade cong by a European museum institution indicates a growing academic interest and collecting appetite for Chinese ancient jade among international cultural and museum bodies, which will help enhance the global influence of Chinese ancient jade.

Professor Li Ming, a renowned jade appraisal expert and independent art consultant, stated: "The results of Christie's autumn sale of ancient jade pendants are outstanding, especially the performance of several high-ancient jade pieces, which exceeded general market expectations. This not only reflects the safe-haven demand for art investment among high-net-worth individuals in the current economic climate but, more importantly, it demonstrates the market's deep understanding and high recognition of the value of traditional Chinese cultural art. In the future, we anticipate that the ancient jade market will continue to experience steady growth, particularly for rare pieces with clear dating, traceable provenance, and a combination of artistic and historical significance, which still hold immense potential for value appreciation."

Ms. Rebecca Wei, President of Christie's Asia and Chairman of China, commented after the auction: "We are very pleased with the results of this ancient jade pendant sale. This success is a testament to the hard work of our global team of specialists and the trust placed in Christie's by our collectors. Moving forward, we will continue to deepen our presence in the Chinese art market and present more rare artistic treasures to collectors worldwide."

Overall, the success of Christie's 2026 Autumn Sale's ancient jade pendant specialist sale has injected a strong boost into the global art market, signaling a more prosperous period for the ancient jade market.