In order to understand the most recent maki-e masterpieces from AP Limited Editions, dually headquartered in California and Singapore, one must understand what maki-e is. “Maki-e" is not a style of design, it is a style of artistic application. A "maki-e" pen that is silkscreened and then touched up by hand is an art pen in the maki-e style, but it is not maki-e.
"Maki-e" is a lacquer art technique mainly developed during Japan's Heian period between the 9th and 12th centuries. Literally translated as "sprinkled picture," it involves sprinkling or spraying wet lacquer with metallic powder using a dusting tube, sprinkler canister, or a hair-tipped paintbrush.
"Urushi" is the natural lacquer used since 4,000 BCE in China. It is a tough, resilient lacquer that adds sheen and color to the lacquer ware. A lot of products are called "urushi," but if the lacquer isn't sourced from its traditional areas in Asia, it is not urushi. Likewise, "maki-e" pens that do not use the traditional application techniques are not truly maki-e.
Enter AP Limited Editions. For 15 years, Anuj and Smita Poddar have worked with Japanese maki-e artisans to produce fine writing instruments that keep these ancient artisanal techniques alive.
Anuj explains, "Our pens are real maki-e authored by masters of the art form in Japan, and each pen is signed by the artist with a traditional red seal, which testifies to the fact that they are entirely handmade. Our maki-e pens are all treated with a final layer of urushi over the maki-e work."
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Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av PEN WORLD.
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Remembering Ward Dunham (October 11, 1941 - August 24, 2024)
On August 24, 2024, calligrapher Ward Dunham passed away.
The Black Pen Society and the D.C. Pen Show: Poobah in a Flower Pot
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Stationery Fest: This Is Not a Pen Show
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GW Pens Scores a Critical Hit
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Roterfaden's "Pocket Companion' "
The Taschenbegleiter hand-made planner system from German artisan cooperative Roterfaden features a modular organizational system that grows with the user's ambitions.
S.T. Dupont Takes the Iron Throne
The French atelier continues its forays into popular culture with a new, officially licensed Game of Thrones collection.
More Mail, More Dip-Less
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David Oscarson: A Reflection
The artisan pen maker celebrates 25 years of luxury writing instruments with a new collection that harkens to his Art Nouveau roots.
The Parkette Hopalong Cassidy Ballpoint Pen
The Jotter was advertised as Parker's first ballpoint pen, but a novelty item that played on the Hopalong Cassidy culture craze predated it.
