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Fengxiang Yuji Gold Medallion
鳳祥裕記金章
Item number: M243
Year: AD 1912-1949
Material: Gold
Size: 23.0 x 23.0 mm
Weight: 34.1 g (with box)
Provenance: Spink 2023
This is a gold medallion crafted by the renowned Shanghai silver shop “Fengxiang Yuji” during the Republican period. The medallion is designed to resemble a coin. The obverse features a twin-masted Chinese junk, which appears to be modeled after the ship design found on the “Junk Silver” coins circulated during the Republic of China period. The upper edge of the badge bears the Chinese traditional Heavenly Stems notation “Ren”, and the inscription “Fengxiang De Chijin” (Fengxiang Pure Gold) at the bottom, including the shop’s name. The reverse has no inscriptions; it is adorned solely with a design imitating the “Great Qing Silver Coin” one-cent pattern, featuring a five-clawed dragon facing left and holding a dragon pearl.
In the 2nd year of the Xianfeng reign (AD 1852), the silver shop Fengxiang Yuji was established on Fangbin Road in Xiaodongmen, Nanshi, Shanghai, producing and selling gold and silver jewelry. The shop’s name and location underwent several changes over the years. In the 34th year of the Guangxu reign (AD 1908), the shop moved to Bentang Street on Nanjing Road and reinstated the name “Fengxiang Yuji.”
Fengxiang Yuji was one of the nine leading silver shops in old Shanghai. In AD 1931, Du Yuesheng, the notorious leader of the Green Gang who dominated Shanghai’s underworld, ordered a record-breaking large silverware piece from Fengxiang to celebrate the completion of his family shrine. Successfully fulfilling this order boosted Fengxiang’s prestige, elevating it above its peers and establishing it as the leader in Shanghai’s silver industry.
In AD 1951, after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Fengxiang’s Shanghai store was nationalised and became the “State-owned Shanghai Gold and Silver Jewelry Store.” Despite the upheavals of the Cultural Revolution and the subsequent era of Reform and Opening-Up, Fengxiang re-emerged in January AD 1985 under the name “Old Fengxiang Silver Store” at its original location. The business has continued to operate to this day.