Fanning the love of Chinese art

At the height of summer, work at Huang Shuofu's factory was heating up, with more than 20 employees rushing to fill orders for his local specialty product — Chinese tuanshan fans.

The task was particularly pressing this time because they were making tuanshan exports for an international luxury fashion brand, which specifically requested nearly 7,000 custom-made versions of the traditional handicraft.

"Our fans symbolize Chinese culture and heritage, and are prized works of art," says Huang, 75.

The popularity of tuanshan can be traced to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). The round fans resemble a full moon, symbolizing auspicious union and happiness. Their use extends beyond being tools for tolerating the scorching summers to reflect high status and taste.