The Pick: A Handmade Christmas Tree

Every year The Upper House commission a leading architecture and design studio to create a bespoke tree, and over the years it’s produced a rich history of stunning, Insta-worthy Christmas trees. 2021 is no different, with longstanding friend of the house Victoria Tang-Owen of Victoria Tang Studio presenting the East-meets-West concept A Handmade Christmas tree installed in the hotel lobby.

Inspired by classic folding screens and Chinese craftsmanship, A Handmade Christmas tree challenges traditional Chinese screens used as room dividers, so the tree is deconstructed and reimagined, to create one which is inclusive and embracing, and designed to live beyond the festive season. Each panel was embellished using the ancient craft of Pan Jin Xiu (盤金繡) a ‘hand twisted gold’ embroidery technique dating back to the Song Dynasty and exclusively used for the Emperor’s Dragon Robe. Reviving this traditional craft in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, seven embroidery masters spent hundreds of hours embroidering a festive pattern of pine, pinecones and golden baubles. 

In keeping with their annual tradition and the spirit of giving, the one-of-a-kind tree will be raffled for charity with all proceeds going to support the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association.  With just a few days left to donate, click here for chance to make this unique screen of a tree yours.