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What Is the Most Luxurious Handmade Fan in the World? —— The Timeless Art of Chinese Lacquer Folding Fans

by ZhangYing 11 Jul 2025 0 comments

Why Chinese Lacquer Fans Are the World’s Most Luxurious
1. 6,000 Years of Legendary Craftsmanship

•The oldest lacquerware discovered in China dates back to 5,000–6,000 BCE (Hemudu Culture).
•By the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), lacquer fans became treasured imperial gifts, adorned with gold and gemstones.

2. 100% Natural Urushi Lacquer: The "Blood of Trees"

•Our fans use raw sap from Toxicodendron vernicifluum trees, harvested drop by drop.
•Unlike synthetic lacquer, urushi:
✓ Hardens into a glass-like, waterproof finish
✓ Resists acids, heat, and 2,000+ years of aging (proven by Han Dynasty relics)

3. Rarest Hand-Decoration Techniques
Each fan is customized with museum-grade artistry:

Technique

What It Means

Example Use

Gold Inlay (戗金)

24K gold hammered into carved patterns

Imperial dragons, phoenixes

Sprinkled Gold (洒金)

Flakes of gold scattered like "falling stars" on lacquer

Abstract landscapes

Rhinoceros Hide (犀皮漆)

Multi-layered lacquer polished to reveal 3D "tiger stripe" patterns

Collector’s showpiece fans

Raised Gold (描金)

Hand-painted gold reliefs that glow in low light

Court ladies, floral motifs

Japanese Maki-e (莳绘)

Gold/powdered pearl designs (we master this cross-cultural technique)

Cherry blossoms, moonlit waves

Openwork Carving

Delicate 3D piercings through lacquered bamboo

Geometric "moon gate" silhouettes


Why Choose Our Lacquer Fans?
✔ Made for Heirlooms: A single fan takes at least 1 month to complete.
✔ Custom Orders: Request family crests, zodiac signs, or poetry inlaid in gold.

Price: from $369

How to Care for Your Lacquer Fan

•Do: Store in silk pouches; gently wipe with camellia oil every 5 years.
•Don’t: Expose to direct sunlight (gold will darken naturally over decades).


Conclusion: A Legacy in Your Hands
A true urushi lacquer fan is priceless—a bridge between Neolithic artisans and today’s collectors.
⬅️Explore Our Collection
P.S. Ask us about bespoke wedding fans with hidden initials in Gold-Incised Lacquer(Qiāngjīn).



Artisan Process Highlights:

1. Lacquer Harvesting – Sustainably sourced raw lacquer (生漆) from Chinese lacquer trees

2. Rib Preparation – Bamboo ribs are carved, smoothed, and sealed for adhesion

3. Layering & Curing – 15+ layers of lacquer, each dried in a humidity-controlled chamber

4. Gold Sprinkling (洒金) – 24K gold flakes applied with precise, freehand mastery

5. Final Polishing – Burnished to a semi-gloss finish that catches light dynamically

Perfect For:

- Collectors of Asian lacquerware & urushi art

- Those seeking non-paper, non-fabric luxury fans

- Unique cultural gifts with historical significance

Specifications (Reference):

- Material: Natural lacquer, wooden ribs, 24K gold leaf

- Dimensions: 18.8-21.4cm (closed), 34.5-39.8cm (open)

- Includes: Handmade brocade box

A rare fusion of artistic craftsmanship and elegance – the gold dances as the lacquer deepens with time.

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