Maki-e is a complex Japanese lacquer painting technique, renowned for its beauty and artistry. For the process, the rare Japanese lacquer Urushi is applied to the fountain pen in a multitude of layers which are polished repeatedly. The design is drawn with colored lacquer onto the surface. It is then sprinkled with a multitude of lacquer-layers in painstaking detail. This technique is called Togidashi-Maki-e.
In addition, the artist can mix charcoal powder and gold powder into the lacquer, so that the pattern of the design is raised above the surface: If your thumb glides over the painting, you will feel the difference. This is the so-called Taka-Maki-e technique. For the Pelikan fountain pen model “Ginko & Maple Leaves”, the Maki-e artist has harmoniously blended both techniques.
The fountain pen “Ginko & Maple Leaves” shows the traditional autumn motifs of Japan – glittering leaves that look as if they have just twirled from the tree in the first autumn wind, with golden splashes of color that show this magnificent season and its warm sunlight at its best.
The art of Maki-e painting is mastered by only a few, who have learned it in many years of training. As an additional, exclusive mark, the Maki-e Master hand-paints his signature onto the barrel.
In 1929, Pelikan registered the patent for the piston mechanism, a new fountain pen filling system. This technique, refined and updated, is still used today. With the experience of decades, the famous model M1000 Souverän is made in Germany and decorated in Japan. The model “Ginko & Maple Leaves” is a masterpiece with a finely-chased 18 carat gold nib accentuated with a rhodium décor, in the nib size M.
The Maki-e fountain pen “Ginko & Maple Leaves” is launched in a limited edition of only 88 pieces worldwide. Each writing instrument is embedded in an exclusive gift case made of traditional Japanese Paulownia wood. The “Ginko & Maple Leaves” is currently available for $3,970.
