SimplyAbuDhabi XLVI

Mandarin Oriental SHANGHAI The Fan Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai has chosen a historic antique fan that reflects the city’s legacy as a trading hub between East and West. Made in Canton for a European collector in the 19th century, this “100 faces” fan is a prized Chinese antique, featuring intricate gold etchings and black lacquered bones. Its painted gouache scenes depict over 100 tiny figures in a traditional courtyard garden, with exquisite details and vibrant colours still intact despite its age. This fan, which showcases the fusion of cultures, is a symbol of Shanghai’s rich history as a global metropolis shaped by East-West trade. From its location along the Pudong riverfront, the fan evokes the city’s historical connection to the maritime trade routes that helped it rise as a major cultural and economic centre. 86 | Simply Abu Dhabi