Maki-e Dragon and Phoenix

Maki-e Dragon and Phoenix

Dragon and Phoenix

The dragon and the phoenix are the most important creatures in Chinese mythology and are surrounded by a wealth of legend and folklore. 

The Chinese dragon is a good-natured and benign creature in contrast to its Western counterpart. 

As a magical animal it is capable of shrinking to the size of a silkworm or swelling until it fills the space between heaven and earth.

The first appearance of the phoenix, which was later to become a commonplace symbol of peace and prosperity, can be dated back to 2600 B.C. Legend has it that this beast remains hidden and only appears when reason prevails. 

Thus, the phoenix is the glorification of a peaceful reign and a successful ruler.

Historically it was the right of the Chinese Emperor to bear the dragon, while the phoenix was the main decorative motive in the costumes of the Empresses of China. 

The spirit of these beasts is still very much a living part of Chinese culture. 

Although over the centuries the Chinese race has been scattered throughout the world, all descendants are still bound by these powerful and mystical symbols, rich in tradition and history.

Maki-e is a traditional Japanese technique to create ornamental lacquer ware, and this technique was used to illustrate the dragon and the phoenix. In Maki-e, designs are drawn with lacquer using a special brush. 

Then gold foil, gold and silver powder are sprinkled or stuck onto the design. 

This careful and time-consuming process is repeated many times in order to give depth to the designs.

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. 

The Pelikan model “Dragon and Phoenix” is a masterpiece with a finely-chased 18 carat gold nib accentuated with a rhodium décor. 

The Pelikan logo on the crown, limited edition number and artist’s signature are drawn in by hand with the Maki-e technique.

With the honed experience of decades and excellent craftsmanship, the impressive fountain pen model Souveraen 1000 is produced in Germany and then decorated in Japan, thus creating a perfectly crafted product that is more than the sum of each part... a little bit of magic has slipped into it...

The fountain pen is encased in a traditional Japanese gift box which is made of Paulownia wood.

The model “Dragon & Phoenix”, released in the year 2005, was available in a limited edition of only 88 pieces worldwide and is now sold out at Pelikan.

Fountain pen

Model	Size/Length in cm	Weight in g
Maki-e "Dragon & Phoenix"	17,2	34,1

                                                                    

                                                                         from : www.pelikan.com