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Author: Pilot-Namiki
Title: PILOT-NAMIKI: Dragon and Clouds Takimaki-e Vintage Fountain Pen by Kyusai, Grade A
Place Published: Japan
Publisher:
Date Published: c.1950
Description: Black lacquer ground heavily sprinkled with gold dust, decorated in the hiramaki-e technique with gold and other pigments, depicting a fire-breathing dragon rendered with exquisite skill in raised takimaki-e. Gold-plated Pilot clip, peaked captop and endpiece cabochons in gilt. Signed by Kyusai. Lever-filler (the lever itself is decorated with gold dust, a touch reserved for master-level maki-e pens). 112mm. #2 14K gold Pilot heart-vent nib, very slight flex. Excellent condition, one tiny nick to rim of cap.

An outstanding "R model" postwar Pilot-Namiki pen, with edges of cap and barrel tapered, captop and endpiece cabochons decorated with gold dust, and kikuza clip attached to the captop. This pen's raised dragon decoration, with raised fire ornamentation and billowing raised clouds, is a master class in postwar maki-e technique. The dragon clutches a pearl in its silver-limned talons, an allusion to the folkloric Japanese notion that dragons derive their power from pearls, enabling them to ascend to the heavens – an auspicious design executed with consummate skill by master artist Kyusai.

– Murakami, Tomihiro. Dunhill-Namiki and Lacquer Pens. [Sakura City: 2000], p. 74. "It is rare to find this type of lacquer pen on the market like the ones manufactured before the war, and they are highly valued due to their scarcity."***********************
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