"Literati culture, which was fostered by the educated elite of ancient Chinese society, had for more than a millennium exerted a major influence on Chinese art-making," says Wang from the Palace Museum.

"It was only with an understanding of that, can one begin to see the Chinese folding fan not just as something to drive away the summer heat, but a portable piece of art, almost every detail of which is dictated by the sensibilities of the literati group."

Ironically, although the fan ribs are essential parts of a fan, for many years in the 20th century, they had been overlooked, taken out and thrown away by antique dealers who would only keep the painted fan surface.

"That situation has completely changed over the past decades. The art and antique market has taught everyone a lesson as to the aesthetic and financial value of handcrafted fan ribs, both old and new," says Xu.