CIRCA 2008 NAMIKI YUKARI MAKI-E TURTLES 18K BROAD NIB FOUNTAIN PEN NEVER INKED

For your consideration, we are offering for sale this Circa 2008 Namiki Yukari Maki-e Fountain Pen fitted with an 18K Broad nib in the fantastic "Turtles" scene. This fountain pen has never been inked and comes in the original box with all the Namiki documentation, Artist Seiki Chida card, Namiki Blue Ink Bottle, and one ink cartridge. I consider this Yukari Fountain Pen to be in Mint, Never Inked Condition.

NOTE: The Turtles Yukari Maki-e Fountain Pen that I have here is an earlier model with a nib date code of April 2008. This particular Turtles had artist Seiki Chida perform the Maiki-e artwork. While he still does the artwork on this design, this is one of his earlier works. The Turtles Fountain Pen features two different Maki-e techniques, Togidashi-maki-e (burnished Maki-e) and Taaka-maki-e (raised Maki-e). The Togidashi-maki-e is a method in which gilded patterns are dried and recoated with Urushi and finally burnished to a high sheen using charcoal. This style of Maki-e dates to the 7th century. The Taka-Maki-e method is a Maki-e applied on patterns in raised relief and dates to the 12th century. The spreading of gold dust on a precise area and to a desired density is a skill that requires great expertise and experience. Namiki developed this lacquering technique in 1925 and has since earned an international reputation for producing the finest Maki-e decorated fountain pen available.  (The Namiki website provides steps that go into this process here.)

Artist Seiki Chida has captured stunningly on the body and cap of the fountain pen two turtles in a pond scene. Turtles are revered in Japanese culture and are symbols of good fortune, longevity, and wisdom. Namiki Turtles was made by master maki-e artist Seiki Chida and the artist's card accompanies the pen - his signature displays on the pen's barrel in image 10. The Namiki logo and the NAMIKI name can be seen stamped into the clip. On the top of the clip, as shown in image 11, is the serial number "X235". 

The fountain pen features a wonderful 18K/750 nib tuned by the masters at Namiki, assuring long-lasting, impeccable writing performance. The nib iridium tipping measures .99mm when measured with digital calipers - or a Broad nib point. The nib has a date code of A408, or April 2008 which makes this an early example of the Turtles scene Fountain Pen. I have never inked the pen as I wanted to keep the pen in Mint Condition. Namiki nibs are some of the best-made 18K Gold Nibs in the World.

This Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen measures 5 5/8" in length capped. The diameter of the barrel is .46" inches. Weighs 1.16 ounces.

The fountain pen comes in a nice softwood presentation box and includes a Con-70 converter, bottle of ink, Namiki literature, Artist Card, and an ink cartridge to get you started writing with this gorgeous work of art. 

The process of hand-crafting these fountain pens takes three months or longer to complete. This technique, though painstaking, gives this fountain pen its deep lustrous sheen and has been used by Namiki craftsmen since the company's inception back in 1918.

This early Namiki Turtles Fountain Pen is an exquisite display of artistry and craftsmanship. I would consider this Namiki to grade in Mint, Never Inked Condition. This is a very special, high-cachet fountain pen that is ready to write with or just add it to your writing arsenal collection.