Wan Neng Pewter Art Gallery

Chen Wan Neng Pewter Art Studio is a studio jointly run by National Living Treasure Pewter Art Master Chen Wan Neng and his sons, Chen Chih-yang (third son) and Chen Chih-sheng (fourth son), both of whom are recognized as 'Taiwan Craft Houses' and 'Changhua County Preservers of Traditional Pewter Craft'. Pewter is a metal with a silvery-gray luster. The Chinese character for 'pewter' (錫) also carries the meaning of 'bestowment'. Pewter craftsmanship involves casting and carving various objects from a tin-lead alloy, commonly used in past weddings or religious ceremonies, and has a history of over a hundred years in Taiwan. Specifically, the Lukang area experienced a flourishing period of prosperity starting from the late Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty. At one point, there were as many as six to ten pewter shops, turning Chelu K'ou into 'Pewter Shop Street,' with masters and apprentices spread throughout the province engaged in the supply and distribution of pewter ware.