Yang Zhengfang – Inheritor of Silver Ornament-making Craft in Luquan County, Kunming
Yang Zhengfang (杨正芳), born in 1927, is a renowned silver ornament-making craftsman from Zhengwei Village, Yongcui Subdistrict, Maoshan Township, Luquan County, Kunming. With more than 70 years of experience in the craft, Yang is considered a key figure in the preservation and continuation of traditional silver ornament-making in Yunnan. He has not only produced a vast array of silver jewelry but has also passed his knowledge onto several apprentices, ensuring that this ancient craft remains alive today.
Early Life and Apprenticeship
Yang Zhengfang began his journey in the world of silver ornament-making at the age of 14, when he apprenticed under Jiang Wanxing, a master craftsman from his locality. After four years of learning the trade, Yang became proficient enough to start crafting silver ornaments for the local Yi and Han communities in Luquan. His early work focused on creating traditional silver jewelry and accessories, which were integral to local customs and ceremonies, especially among the Yi people.
Career and Craftsmanship
Throughout his career, Yang worked in a variety of industries, honing his skills and applying his craft in diverse contexts:
- 1955: He joined a comprehensive factory, where he expanded his skills to produce items such as gun rods and iron shovels.
- 1957: He worked at a Maoshan smelting factory, where he participated in the creation of large iron cauldrons.
- 1959: He continued his work at various county-owned factories, including a bearing factory and an agricultural tool factory.
- 1960: Yang returned to working with silver and copper, making ornaments and tools at the hardware association.
- 1964: He spent one and a half years in Wuding County, where he continued to craft silver ornaments.
- 1974: He was invited by the Wuding Department Store to craft silver jewelry, where he worked for four years.
- 1984: After the dissolution of the Maoshan Comprehensive Factory, Yang returned to his hometown, continuing his work independently.
Legacy and Recognition
Throughout his career, Yang Zhengfang produced thousands of pieces of silver jewelry. His craftsmanship became well-known not only in Luquan but also in neighboring Wuding County, where he gained a reputation for creating high-quality silver ornaments. His work, which is characterized by traditional Yi designs and intricate silverwork, has contributed significantly to the local culture and economy.
Yang has also been a devoted mentor, teaching his craft to a new generation of artisans. Among his apprentices are his own son and several others from Luquan and Wuding counties, all of whom have continued to practice the art and pass it on to future generations.
Yang Zhengfang’s contribution to silver ornament-making is immense, not only because of his impressive output but also because of his role in preserving and passing on this ancient craft. His work has left a lasting mark on the cultural heritage of the Yi people and the broader Yunnan community. Today, Yang remains a key figure in the ongoing tradition of silver craftsmanship, with his legacy living on through his apprentices and the jewelry that continues to be cherished by locals and visitors alike.
