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Lot 1153
DUNHILL-NAMIKI: Tanabata Emperor Maki-e & Raden Limited Edition 15 Fountain Pen
16 June 2015, 10:00 PDT
San FranciscoUS$45,000 - US$65,000
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DUNHILL-NAMIKI: Tanabata Emperor Maki-e & Raden Limited Edition 15 Fountain Pen
One of Dunhill-Namikis most exclusive and highly-regarded masterworks, the Emperor Tanabata is inspired by the Japanese folk tale "The Prince in the sky and the Princess on earth." The tale regards a princess who was parted from her husband by his strict father, an ogre. The pen depicts the two lovers separated by the Milky Way. The name "Tanabata" comes from the Japanese star festival, in which celebrants write their wishes or poems on oblong cards in various colors and hang them from leafy bamboo in their gardens.
Exquisitely ornamented in raised takamaki-e and burnished togidashi maki-e with abundant gold dust, raden panels at the bottom and top, and marvelous kirikane decorations. The cap depicts the Prince, cloaked in magnificent regal garb, and the barrel features the Princess in equally splendid raiment. The Milky Way is represented in brilliant gold and silver dust and kirikane by maki-e master Seiki Chida, who spent six months completing this opulent pen. Released in an edition of 15 examples, this is one of Dunhill-Namikis most limited creations.
Emperor size (175mm). Eyedropper filler. 18K gold nib engraved with star motif, size not indicated, appears medium, large #50 size. Outer box, lacquered wood display box, velvet bag, eyedropper, booklet, certificate of authenticity signed by Christopher Colfer (CEO, Alfred Dunhill Ltd.) and Seiki Chida. Limited Edition: 15/25.
Exquisitely ornamented in raised takamaki-e and burnished togidashi maki-e with abundant gold dust, raden panels at the bottom and top, and marvelous kirikane decorations. The cap depicts the Prince, cloaked in magnificent regal garb, and the barrel features the Princess in equally splendid raiment. The Milky Way is represented in brilliant gold and silver dust and kirikane by maki-e master Seiki Chida, who spent six months completing this opulent pen. Released in an edition of 15 examples, this is one of Dunhill-Namikis most limited creations.
Emperor size (175mm). Eyedropper filler. 18K gold nib engraved with star motif, size not indicated, appears medium, large #50 size. Outer box, lacquered wood display box, velvet bag, eyedropper, booklet, certificate of authenticity signed by Christopher Colfer (CEO, Alfred Dunhill Ltd.) and Seiki Chida. Limited Edition: 15/25.













