Fanning The Flames Of Tradition

Once used as a status symbol and luxury accessory in China, traditional fans are now making a comeback in the world of antique collection, thanks to a group of craftsmen from Suzhou

It is the middle of June in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, and the temperature is at a stifling 32 C.

Inside his two-story studio, large beads of sweat trickle down Wang Jian's wrinkled forehead. Within this cozy space, dozens of folding fans lie around, some in their unfinished state. But the Suzhou native is not using any of them to get some reprieve from the heat.