[Sampling Moment]
Temp: 28°C | Scent: Warm, Woody | Location: Suzhou, Jiangsu.
Carved from a single piece of aged Indian sandalwood, each rib is shaped and pierced with intricate openwork patterns — bamboo, plum blossoms, or landscape scenes — using fine chisels and drills. The silk leaf is hand-mounted and the fan opens to a smooth, silent arc.
[Heritage Fragment]
Sandalwood fans have been a symbol of refinement in Chinese culture since the Ming Dynasty. The wood itself is naturally fragrant — the scent deepens with age and handling. The openwork carving (loukong) is one of Suzhou's signature techniques, requiring hours of precision work on each fan.
[Homecoming]
Use it to cool yourself on warm days, as a decorative piece on a desk or shelf, or as a gift that carries both beauty and fragrance. The sandalwood scent will persist for years. Store flat or slightly open — never force it fully closed when humid.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Material |
Indian Sandalwood, Silk Leaf |
| Technique |
Openwork Carving (Loukong) |
| Length |
Approx. 28 cm when open |
| Care |
Avoid water. Natural scent persists for years. Store slightly open in humid weather. |
Gallery Price: $135
Your Price: $100
No middlemen. Direct from the artisan workshop.
Open it and the room smells like a temple. Close it and it disappears into your pocket. That's sandalwood — it works whether you're paying attention or not.
The Maker
Old Master Huang carves fans in a workshop that hasn't changed in forty years. His hands shake slightly when he drinks tea — but not when he holds a carving knife. The muscle memory is that deep.
The Place
Suzhou, Jiangsu. A city of gardens and scholars, where folding fans were once considered essential as shoes. The sandalwood comes from southern India — Huang's family has used the same supplier for three generations.
The Craft
Each rib is carved from a single piece of sandalwood, then hollowed to reduce weight without losing strength. The openwork pattern is cut with a knife finer than a scalpel — one wrong move and the rib snaps. A full fan has 21 ribs. Huang carves each one in about thirty minutes. He throws away roughly one in five.
At Home
Use it. Sandalwood releases more scent with warmth and friction — the more you handle it, the more it gives back. Tuck it in a bag for travel. Prop it open on a bookshelf. It's one of those rare things that gets better by being used.
No middlemen. Direct from the artisan workshop.
