In celebration of this long-lasting reputation the Alfred Dunhill
Namiki Collection reproduces four of the original pen designs
from seventy years ago.
Only rarely does a work of art have function as well as beauty.
The Alfred Dunhill Namiki pen – each one unique, the result
of three month’s work by an artist and craftsman –
is such a thing.
After one-and-a-half thousand years the art and craft of Maki-e
is considered to be an integral part of Japanese heritage and
it’s artist Gonroku Matsude, who joined the Namiki Manufacturing
Co Ltd in 1926 to help develop the first Alfred Dunhill-Namiki
pens, has since been honored with the title of ‘Living
National Treasure’ and awarded an Order of Cultural Merit.
The group of Maki-e artists applying their craft to Alfred
Dunhill-Namiki pens today were taught by Matsuda himself. The
group is called the Kokko-kai and their work always bears the
symbol with great honor, alongside the artist’s own seal
and signature. It is the traditional techniques of Maki-e passed
down through the generations which are still practiced today.
These four pens bear the same design as those of the original
1930's fountain pens, which were in turn adapted from traditional
Japanese designs. The stylized subjects of oriental designs
are natural forms, pared down to express their essence or spirit.
There is often a symbolism attached to the subjects which explains
the appearance of the same designs again and again in Japanese
works of art. Only 200 individually numbered pens will be produced
in each design, with the exception of the Rakucho of which only
100 will be made.
.
The Crane and Pine Tree are
two of The Ten Longevities symbolizing all the blessings of
a long and healthy life and even immortality. These symbols
are depicted together in any combination or singularly.
The Hare’s Foot fern is a popular ornamental
plant in Japan and owes its name to its extraordinary aerial
roots which appear to be covered with fur. This motif from nature
has been semi-abstracted by the Maki-e artist to create a delicate
and intricate design. Each ‘frond’ has been painstakingly
delineated in silver. The ‘dew drops’ which tremble
on the ‘leaves’ are actually created from tiny fragments
of iridescent abalone shell.
Traditionally the quail was kept as a domestic
fowl in the East. It is subject of this color wood-block print
of the Meiji period by the artist Chikuseki
The Maki-e artist affectionately portrays the same plump and
rounded lines of the quail with it’s gold breast and intricately
speckled feathers. Whereas Chikuseki has contained the quail
within ‘Shikishi’ or square format, the Maki-e quail
is perfectly balanced by the ballon and Spear Flowers which
complete the design on this fountain pen. Both are autumn flowering
plants, indigenous to Japan.
An ancient figure of uncertain origin, the Rakucho
is a mythical bird, possibly related to the phoenix, whose appearance
on earth presaged happy times and propitious events, the Rakucho
symbolizes ‘a peaceful atmosphere in heaven’. In
Oriental philosophy the idea of heaven is not that of the West.
As depicted on this fountain pen the Rakucho perches amongst
Cherry Blossoms, which are the national flowers of Japan and
represent the transience of man’s existence
An ancient figure of uncertain origin, the Rakucho is a mythical
bird, possibly related to the phoenix. Like the phoenix, whose
appearance on earth presaged happy times and propitious events,
the Rakucho symbolizes "a peaceful atmosphere in heaven". In
Oriental philosophy the idea of heaven is not that of the West:
Eastern religions affirm nature and the universe, and the state
for which one must strive is a unity of nature and man - a harmony
with the universal life-spirit.
Only the finest nib could qualify for an Alfred Dunhill Namiki
fountain pen. Hand ground in 18ct gold, this nib is zipped in
iridium mined from the Northern Ja
panese
island of Hokkaido.
With it's special hardening and protecting qualities, iridium
ensures a nib of exceptional flexibility and durability. This,
in conjunction with the most technologically advanced fountain
pen mechanism available in the world today, means these pens
are characterized by an unparalleled smoothness of writing and
ink flow.
See them up close by clicking the below links
Rakucho & Cherry Blossoms
Crane
& Pine Tree
Hare's Foot Fern &
Dew Drops
Quail, Balloon Flower
& Spear Flower
