BEIJING, May 20, 2026 – The highly anticipated Poly Auction 2026 Spring Art Sale recently concluded successfully. The ancient jade session, in particular, performed exceptionally well, with several exquisite archaic jade pieces fetching prices far exceeding expectations. This not only set multiple new auction records but also sent a strong signal of market recovery. The total transaction value for this session reached RMB 280 million, with a sell-through rate of 92%, an increase of 15 percentage points compared to the same period last year, demonstrating strong demand from collectors for high-quality ancient jade and a significant rebound in market confidence.
This ancient jade session presented a total of 120 lots, covering various rare ancient jades from the Neolithic period to the Han Dynasty. Among them, the most striking was an “Early Western Zhou Celadon Jade Dragon-shaped Pendant.” With its exquisite craftsmanship, perfect condition, and rare subject matter, this lot ultimately hammered for RMB 85 million after fierce bidding, far exceeding its highest estimate of RMB 50 million, achieving a premium rate of 70%, and setting the highest record for Western Zhou jade auctions in the past five years. Another “Late Warring States White Jade Grain-pattern Bi Disc” also performed well, selling for RMB 42 million, an increase of 40% compared to its estimate of RMB 30 million. In addition, several Han Dynasty jade pieces, such as the “Han Dynasty Yellow Jade Auspicious Beast Ornament,” also sold for a high price of RMB 18 million, fully demonstrating the market's recognition of the collection value of archaic jade.
Zhang Ming, Head of the Ancient Jade Department at Poly Auction, stated: “The excellent performance of the ancient jade session in this spring sale, especially the strong momentum in the archaic jade sector, exceeded our expectations. This is not only due to the exceptional quality and clear provenance of the lots themselves but also reflects the current market's pursuit of ancient jade that combines rarity, artistry, and historical value. We have observed that the new generation of young collectors are increasingly interested in archaic jade, focusing more on the cultural connotations and aesthetic value of the collections, which injects new vitality into the ancient jade market.”
Market analyst Li Hua pointed out: “The strong recovery of the archaic jade market in the 2026 spring sale is the result of multiple converging factors. Firstly, the gradual stabilization of the global economic environment has boosted investment confidence among high-net-worth individuals; secondly, after several years of adjustment in the art market, the value depression effect has become apparent, especially for non-renewable resources like archaic jade, whose scarcity determines its long-term potential for preservation and appreciation; furthermore, with the deepening of academic research and the popularization of museum exhibitions, public awareness and appreciation of ancient jade have continuously improved, which has also stimulated market demand. It is expected that in the coming years, the archaic jade market will continue to maintain steady growth, and the prices of exquisite archaic jade still have further room for appreciation.”
The success of this auction undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the entire art market. As an important carrier of traditional Chinese culture, the unique historical, artistic, and cultural values of archaic jade are being recognized and sought after by more and more collectors. The outstanding performance of Poly Auction's 2026 Spring Sale Ancient Jade Session not only solidified its leading position in the field of ancient jade auctions but also heralded the arrival of a more active and healthy era of ancient jade collection.