Pelikan Maki-e M1000 Heavenly Maidens of Dunhuang Limited Edition Fountain Pen

Pelikan Maki-e M1000 Heavenly Maidens of Dunhuang Limited Edition Fountain Pen

Maki-e is the art of Japanese lacquer painting and is renowned for its beauty and artistry.

This distinctive and unique fountain pen was crafted and drawn using the Kaga-Togidashi-Taka-Maki-e technique that combines Taka-maki-e and Togidashi-maki-e.

Dunhuang was one of the four provinces of the Hexi region created by Han Emperor Wu in 111 B.C. The province once played an important role as a military outpost to defend the dynasty against western invaders. As the power of the dynasty weakened in the region, Dunhuang was under the rule of aliens at some times. Dunhuang repeatedly rose and fell during its long history.

However, although rulers of the province constantly changed, Dunhuang always served as a major crossroad of the Silk Road where people of the West and East met, and the cultures they brought flourished. Buddhist culture was one of such cultures, and it culminated in the form of the famous caves and their wall paintings and Buddhist images.

"Heavenly Maidens of Dunhuang" is a work inspired by wall paintings with more than 1000-years of history. With their innocent and elegant look, the maidens dance in fine airy robes, wear colorful belts expressing the freedom of their spirits, and play musical instruments. They represent the supreme goodness, truth and beauty. Ancient people believed that the heavenly maidens were the symbol of good luck.

"Heavenly Maidens of Dunhuang" is a masterpiece created under the theme of Dunhuang culture with eternal history. The work combines the craftsmanship of Pelikan Germany with 170 years of tradition and technology, coupled with superior Japanese traditional Maki-e painting techniques.

Each fountain pen has the Pelikan logo on the crown, a limited edition number and the artist's signature drawn in by hand using maki-e techniques.

The Limited Edition “Heavenly Maidens of Dunhuang” was made available in 88 numbered pieces worldwide. Each fountain pen is equipped with an 18 carat, two-tone gold nib and is encased in a traditional Japanese pen box made of paulownia wood.

This pen was released in 2007.