In a new light

In 1997, he came across a story in a paper that local authorities were collecting folklore artworks. His set of palace lanterns were selected and won him 8,800 yuan ($1,279). It was the first time that his hobby earned him money.

Seeing the business potential, Feng quit his job and tried to make a living from doing what he loved.

"Making palace lanterns is hard work, which could be bad for health. For example, it requires sitting for dozens of days, at least 10 hours every day, to carve the frames of a lantern," Feng says.

However, the business didn't go as well as he had expected due to the lack of clients. In 2003, not one lantern was sold. Duan had to take part-time jobs to make ends meet. But he didn't give up hope of reviving the craft.

"I have always believed that my lanterns will be recognized by the market," Feng says, adding that he would regret forever if the craft vanished.

To expand the value of the lanterns, Feng took them to exhibitions across the country. His efforts paid off with orders increasing gradually.

In 2008, he borrowed money to buy a computer and registered an account on e-commerce platform Alibaba to promote and sell his lanterns. In 2011, his lanterns were a hit at a folk art exhibition in Xinjiang county in Shanxi. In 2018, Feng registered a lantern company.

Deftly carved with auspicious motifs such as the dragon and the phoenix, Feng's palace lanterns are constructed of elaborate wooden frames and glass panels decorated with Chinese characters, representing prosperity, fortune and happiness. Some have lavish strings of tassels attached.

He uses the centuries-old mortise-and-tenon joining technique of classical Chinese architecture without a single nail or glue for his lanterns. They are in square, hexagonal or octagonal shapes.

A set of Feng's palace lanterns ranges in price from thousands of yuan to tens of thousands of yuan, depending on the size and the wood, Feng says.

Feng has been exploring innovation in design to make his products closer to modern life. Instead of candles, his lanterns are illuminated by LED light strips. As this year marks the Year of the Rabbit, Feng recently designed lanterns with rabbit paintings on panels.

"Every Spring Festival is busy for us with orders surging, because lanterns are an important part of Chinese New Year celebrations," Feng says. This Spring Festival, he sold about seven sets of lanterns, with each set at an average price of 10,000 yuan.

Although mass production of palace lanterns is possible, Feng says he wants to preserve the skills of making lanterns by hand and passing the craft on to more people.