In steamy, humid countries - a breeze through the leaves brings temporary relief to one's sticky skin. Travel back thousands of years and some switched on chum realised a large leaf could be plucked, held and ruffled to billow onto oneself and mimic a satisfying breeze.

However, as any practical item does, the humble fan became a decorative accessory throughout history. With 3 different types of fans invented (the flat fan, the feather fan and the folding fan), anyone with the materials available to them could provide themselves relief from the heat or fashion themselves an object that defines sophistication.