Reshaping heritage gives buyers a sense of history

Fourth-generation practitioner shares ancient craft techniques that are evolving to attract younger generations, Yang Feiyue reports.

The morning sun shines through carved wooden screens, falling on the petals of a handcrafted peony taking shape under Li Yifan's deft fingers.

The flower is made from a stem of the medicinal tongcao plant (rice paper plant) by the same delicate art that once adorned Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) court ladies, says the Beijing resident in her 40s.

The tradition continued for more than two millennia to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).