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Lot 1166
NAMIKI: Hina Dolls Pair of Yukari Maki-e Limited Edition 70 Fountain Pens
16 June 2015, 10:00 PDT
San FranciscoUS$5,500 - US$6,500
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NAMIKI: Hina Dolls Pair of Yukari Maki-e Limited Edition 70 Fountain Pens
In Japan, Hina dolls are displayed on tiered stands during the "Hina Matsuri" (Dolls Festival), a celebration involving prayers for the healthy and happy growth of young girls. The dolls are dressed in elaborate costumes representing the elegant vestments of the imperial court. These richly ornamented Yukari-sized pens pay tribute to this ritual.
According to Namiki, "The mandarin orange tree depicted on the male doll is called 'Ukon no Tachibana,' which was regarded as a symbol of long life and auspiciousness because the orange tree grew all the time, unaffected by heat or cold. On the other hand, the cherry blossom on the female doll depicts the 'Sakon no Sakura,' which like the orange tree was planted in the Old Imperial Palace in Kyoto and was also thought to have good omens. These 'Hina dolls' fountain pens contain the wish that misfortune will be banished from people's lives and that their health and homes will keep in harmony."
Both pens are decorated by maki-e artisan Mamoru. The male doll pen features raised takamakie and burnished togidashi maki-e against a black urushi ground. The female doll pen features lavish costumes and cherry trees in takamaki-e against red urushi. Both have broad 18K two-tone gold nibs engraved with Mt. Fuji motifs.
Shipping box, accessory box, outer box, black lacquer display box, miniature Byobu folding screen and Bonbori paper lanterns, booklet, service guide, certificate of authenticity, artist's kanji card. Limited Edition: each 70/70.
According to Namiki, "The mandarin orange tree depicted on the male doll is called 'Ukon no Tachibana,' which was regarded as a symbol of long life and auspiciousness because the orange tree grew all the time, unaffected by heat or cold. On the other hand, the cherry blossom on the female doll depicts the 'Sakon no Sakura,' which like the orange tree was planted in the Old Imperial Palace in Kyoto and was also thought to have good omens. These 'Hina dolls' fountain pens contain the wish that misfortune will be banished from people's lives and that their health and homes will keep in harmony."
Both pens are decorated by maki-e artisan Mamoru. The male doll pen features raised takamakie and burnished togidashi maki-e against a black urushi ground. The female doll pen features lavish costumes and cherry trees in takamaki-e against red urushi. Both have broad 18K two-tone gold nibs engraved with Mt. Fuji motifs.
Shipping box, accessory box, outer box, black lacquer display box, miniature Byobu folding screen and Bonbori paper lanterns, booklet, service guide, certificate of authenticity, artist's kanji card. Limited Edition: each 70/70.