Guided by the value logic of brand enhancement—“The value logic for brand upgrade is: injecting the ‘old’ soul into ‘new’ works, and revitalizing the ‘old brand’ with a ‘new lifestyle.'”Transcending the boundaries of East and West, DONG-GONG resonates with every vibrant soul who cherishes Eastern handcrafted artistry.
Transcending the boundaries of East and West, DONG-GONG resonates with every vibrant soul who cherishes Eastern handcrafted artistry.
A Heritage Brand of DongYang.
Forging the Future of Intangible Heritage Pewter Art.
Generational Inheritor of Dongyang’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Born into a family of pewter artisans, Lu Xiaokan had a well-established career in the design industry before he returned to take up his family’s craft. He has since dedicated himself to the inheritance and promotion of this artistry as part of the intangible cultural heritage and creative industry in his hometown. His work involves a cross-disciplinary fusion and innovative application of modern knowledge with traditional techniques. Through the aesthetics of his creations, he enables this time-honored intangible cultural heritage to interpret contemporary lifestyles, express new ways of living, and integrate into modern life, thereby revealing a more multifaceted spiritual character and a richer texture to life.
Boldly experimenting with the fusion of traditional tin art and modern design, it continuously explores the cross-disciplinary design applications of materials such as tin and bamboo, and tin and wood. Integrating Eastern life aesthetics and philosophy, it draws inspiration from the elements of Song Dynasty literati painting. The exquisite expressive forms and methods of wood carving from Dongyang—renowned as the “hometown of Chinese woodcarving”—are combined to innovatively develop a series of metal forging and chasing works that carry on the artistic meaning of traditional craftsmanship.
The designed and crafted scholar’s desk objects and tea utensils exhibit a strong brand identity and personality. They are characterized by a distinctive style, a serene temperament, and an elegant form, without losing a sense of playfulness. This reflects a design philosophy of being “interesting, thoughtful, and leisurely.” These creations have repeatedly won awards in various craft and art exhibitions at all levels.
Through years of trial and effort, the “Donggong Tin Art” brand has imbued the traditional craft of “Dongyang Tin Art” with a new vitality and spiritual outlook, earning praise from both within and outside the industry.
In recent years, some of Lu Xiaokan’s master-level, handcrafted tin art pieces—particularly wood-and-tin or bamboo-and-tin works that feature both exquisite craftsmanship and unique design—have been acquired by several anonymous collectors for their private collections. Coupled with the non-renewable nature of the raw materials and the scarcity of their natural forms, these pieces have become unique, sole-surviving works.
As an outstanding inheritor of intangible cultural heritage in Jinhua City, Lu Xiaokan has devoted a great deal of time and energy to the inheritance and innovation of tin art culture, which has already produced a positive impact and is effectively promoting the development of the industry. His efforts include collaborating with universities to develop metalworking courses and serving as a visiting professor at Zhejiang Hengdian Film Vocational College to cultivate a new generation of artisans.
Consequently, in September 2019, Lu Xiaokan was featured in a special interview on the CCTV-17 program “Rural China.” The episode, titled “Different Skills, Same Nostalgia,” garnered widespread public attention and resonance.
Rooted in history, the DONG-GONG studio is located in Dongyang’s architectural masterpiece: the Lu Residence.
The DONG-GONG Time-honored Store on Luzhai Old Street, Dongyang.
Inside the DONG-GONG Brand Showroom & Experience Store in Jingdezhen, esteemed industry leaders gathered to appreciate the works of Lu Xiaokan and engage in a live discussion with the artisan.
