For your consideration, we are pleased to offer this exceptionally rare early Circa 2002 Loiminchay Mini Qian Long YuQi (Precious Rain) Imperial Lacquer Fountain Pen, number 8 of only 20 produced in this configuration, individually marked “YuQi 8/20S.” Dating to approximately 2002, this remarkable example comes from the formative years of Loiminchay and represents the company's early vision of combining traditional Chinese artistic themes with Japanese Urushi lacquer, European penmaking, and highly sculptural design. The pen is fitted with a substantial 18K two-tone gold nib and Loiminchay's integrated piston-filling system.
Founded by Patrick Chu in 2001, Loiminchay quickly distinguished itself from conventional fountain pen manufacturers by creating limited-edition writing instruments that were conceived as functional works of art. The company's early collections drew heavily upon Chinese decorative traditions while incorporating materials and craftsmanship sourced through an international production network. The YuQi collection is one of the earliest and most artistically significant expressions of that vision, utilizing richly colored Urushi lacquer and designs inspired by the artistic traditions of China.
The name YuQi, commonly interpreted as “Precious Rain” or “Beautiful Rain,” is particularly appropriate to this pen's extraordinary lacquer work. The body is covered in a rich red Urushi lacquer finish with an intricate organic pattern extending across the cap, barrel, and section. The decoration possesses remarkable depth, with the lighter elements appearing to float within the deep red lacquer as the pen is moved through different angles of light. The effect is exceptionally rich and dimensional, giving the pen an appearance far removed from that of an ordinary writing instrument.
This is an exceptionally large fountain pen, measuring approximately 6 5/8 inches in length and weighing a substantial 1.84 ounces. The pen does not post. Its imposing proportions and considerable weight give it a commanding presence in the hand, befitting the artistic nature of the design.
One of the most recognizable characteristics of early Loiminchay pens is the sculptural dragon-form clip, and this YuQi is an excellent example of that signature design element. The clip is crafted from sterling silver, although it is not separately stamped sterling. Its elaborate dragon form provides a striking contrast against the deep red lacquer and reinforces the pen's unmistakable Chinese artistic character. The cap band and lower barrel trim are sterling silver plated, providing additional refinement without competing with the intricate Urushi finish.
At the base of the barrel is the individual production marking “YuQi 8/20S,” identifying this fountain pen as number 8 in a 20-piece configuration. The “S” designation appears to correspond to the sterling silver clip configuration, although original Loiminchay documentation specifically decoding this suffix has not been located. Loiminchay produced various clip configurations during this early period, including examples utilizing jade and precious-metal components, making the designation an interesting part of the pen's production history.
The YuQi is fitted with an exceptionally substantial 18K two-tone gold nib featuring Loiminchay's distinctive Dragon-head sunburst decoration. The nib is a genuine centerpiece of the pen, weighing approximately 1.0 gram and carrying a Medium point that measures approximately .78mm when measured with digital calipers. Contemporary information regarding Loiminchay's early production indicates that the company utilized two-tone 18K gold, rhodium-plated nibs sourced through its European production network.
Filling is accomplished through an integrated piston-filling system, providing the substantial ink capacity appropriate to a fountain pen of this size. The piston mechanism has been tested with water and operates properly. The pen has never been inked, allowing the new owner to preserve its exceptional originality or introduce it to writing for the first time.
The early Loiminchay production story is itself fascinating. The company brought together an unusually international combination of craftsmanship, with contemporary accounts describing German-made nibs, ebonite components shaped in France, Japanese Urushi lacquer work, assembly in France, and final quality control conducted by Patrick Chu in New York. This unusual collaboration of Eastern artistic traditions and European penmaking expertise became one of the defining characteristics of Loiminchay's earliest creations.
The YuQi is particularly important within this history because it belongs to Loiminchay's formative period, only shortly after the company's founding in 2001. These early collections established Patrick Chu's distinctive approach to the creation of highly limited artistic writing instruments, combining Chinese mythology and decorative arts with Japanese lacquer techniques and European manufacturing traditions. Surviving examples from these early productions are consequently of considerable interest to collectors who appreciate the history and evolution of independent fine-pen makers.
This particular YuQi is offered in Never Inked condition and comes with its original boxes. Its combination of exceptionally rich red Urushi lacquer, sculptural dragon-form sterling silver clip, substantial 18K two-tone gold nib, integrated piston filler, and extremely limited 20-piece configuration makes it an unusually compelling example of early Loiminchay.
At 6 5/8 inches long and nearly two ounces in weight (1.84 ounces), this is unquestionably a statement fountain pen. It has the scale, materials, craftsmanship, and visual presence that make an exceptional art pen memorable, while its early production date and extremely limited configuration give it additional historical significance.
For the collector who appreciates fountain pens at the intersection of Chinese decorative arts, Japanese Urushi lacquer, precious metals, and European penmaking, the Loiminchay YuQi represents a fascinating piece of early 21st-century fountain pen history. More than simply a writing instrument, it is an early manifestation of Patrick Chu's vision for Loiminchay—a highly individualistic approach to creating functional works of art in extremely limited quantities.
This Loiminchay YuQi No. 8/20S is a particularly handsome and uncommon example of the company's earliest artistic production and a worthy addition to a collection focused on exceptional, unusual, and historically significant fountain pens.
