Republican-China Bamboo Fan Ribs with Carved Court Ladies by Yu Boyu Picture 1

Thanks to the carvings on the bamboo fan ribs via various techniques, folding fans, while fulfilling the function of providing cool air, have been endowed with cultural values.
This set of fan ribs were crafted by the bamboo-carving master Yu Boyu in the late Qing and early Republican China era. On the two guards there are carved court ladies, with an inscription of “while people on the earth are celebration the Double-seventh Festival” coupled with a round seal of “Yu” on one guard while another line meaning “I can do nothing but to play the zither to extend my lovesickness” also with the round seal “Yu” on the other. The court ladies were illustrated with simple but flowing lines, showing natural and harmonious expressions and poses.