Feng Xiang

(Active circa 1848-1930, Tientsin)

Feng Xiang was a manufacturing and retail silversmith of Chinese origin, operating in the 19-20th centuries. The company produced export silverware of finest quality, that was in high demand all over the world.

One of the most prosperous manufacturers in Tientsin, Feng Xiang was renowned for its silver trophies, that came in all sizes and shapes. Since the city of Tientsin counted lots of sports clubs and institutions, these kinds of items were the right choice for the newly opened local company to focus on. Apart from cups, the silversmith also produced superb sets of tableware in a traditional for the Chinese and extravagant for the export market style.

The silversmith’s history can be divided into two periods, pre-1880 and post-1880. The latter is often mentioned with the addition of Yu Ji after the company’s name: Feng Xiang Yu Ji (in some sources Yu Chi). This is believed to have been a branch of the original retail silversmith, although according to the records, Yu Chi had also operated as an independent manufacturer. Both companies produced top-notch trophies, and when it came to these items, they were second to none.

Some of Feng Xiang Yu Ji’s most sought after items were sets of statues of the three Immortals, Fuk, Luk, and Sau. In Chinese culture placing the three Immortals in a room or a home is believed to be a cure for the Feng Shui. When placed in a room, they cleanse the home of negative influences, including arguments, marital problems and illness. This extremely powerful cure is still considered a must for anyone looking to strengthen or enhance a relationship with their partner or children.

The style chosen to decorate silverware can be explained quite easily: the silversmith used mostly domestic Chinese motifs that resonated with the spirit of that time. In other words, floral ornaments and classical Chinese decorative elements resonated with the rising affluent Chinese middle class. Inspired by local nature, as well as rural and urban landscapes, beautifully decorated silver pieces looked attractive, as they reflected daily life and symbolized an upcoming opulence simultaneously.