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Lot 1141
NAMIKI: Pre-Dunhill Goldfish and Waterweed Maki-e and Aogai Fountain Pen, 1920s
16 June 2015, 10:00 PDT
San FranciscoUS$10,000 - US$20,000
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NAMIKI: Pre-Dunhill Goldfish and Waterweed Maki-e and Aogai Fountain Pen, 1920s
Splendid pre-Dunhill vest pen depicting two goldfish in superb hiramaki-e with fine aogai mother-of-pearl highlights in the eyes. Goldfish were a popular motif for maki-e pens, as they provided an excellent formalized context for artists to demonstrate a variety of skills, including fluidity of movement, liveliness of expression, and regularity of proportion. This example shows proficiency in each of these areas and makes the artist's identity an excellent subject for further research. 105mm. Lever-filler (with orbicular Namiki "lifebouy" lever), ditch-carved cap-ring, slightly rounded cap and endpiece, endpiece marked "Made in Japan," Namiki 14K heart-vent No.2 nib. Signed in red with the artist's kakihan (an artist's unique cipher or seal); the seal is not in any of the standard references, and the artist's identity is unknown.
See Murakami, Dunhill-Namiki and Lacquer Pens. [Sakura City: 2000], p. 15 for an interesting discussion on goldfish as a recurring Namiki motif.
See Murakami, Dunhill-Namiki and Lacquer Pens. [Sakura City: 2000], p. 15 for an interesting discussion on goldfish as a recurring Namiki motif.