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Author: Visconti
Title: VISCONTI: Four Seasons Takamaki-e Custom Fountain Pen by Takehiro Fujita * Unique
Place Published: Italy
Publisher:
Date Published: c.1990s
Description: A one-of-a-kind fountain pen customized by master maki-e artist Takehiro Fujita. Mr. Fujita used a Visconti "Four Seasons" fountain pen as a base, and decorated the pen's four panels with exquisitely-rendered designs in a variety of techniques, including highly-raised takamaki-e, aogai (mollusk shell) details, and raden (mother-of-pearl) highlights. The designs reflect natural themes, with a sun, a moon, foliage, a mother bear and cubs, an owl, a pair of foxes, and several cranes depicted with a level of accuracy and detail that defies belief. This marvellous instrument participates in the venerable Japanese tradition of miniature masterpieces; much like netsuke and inrÅ?, the pen's limited surface area provides an ideal proving-ground for the steady hand and eye of the master craftsman. The gentleman collector who amassed The Copenhagen Collection purchased this pen for $50,000 in 2004, and it represents not only the apex of a truly exceptional maki-e collection, but it stands as one of the crowning achievements of fine lacquer pen design.

Stephen Overbury, author of Namiki: The Art of Japanese Lacquer Pens, says that "in terms of art and technical execution, this is likely the very best maki-e pen ever made," and describes the artist, Takehiro Fujita, as "one of those young genius types who come along once in a lifetime."***********************
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