Maki-e is a complex art of Japanese lacquer painting and is renowned for its beauty and artistry. In the process, the rare Japanese lacquer Urushi is applied to the fountain pen in a multitude of layers which are polished repeatedly. The design is drawn with colored lacquer onto the surface. This technique is called Togidashi-Maki-e.

In addition, the artist can mix charcoal powder and gold powder into the lacquer, so that the pattern of the design is raised above the surface: If your thumb glides over the painting, you will feel the difference. This is the so-called Taka-Maki-e technique. For the Pelikan fountain pen model “Phoenix”, the Maki-e artist has harmoniously blended both techniques.

The Phoenix is surrounded by numerous meaningful legends. Phoenix is a legendary spiritual bird in Chinese mythology, appearing in myths, ornaments, works of art, and architecture in East Asia. It is often depicted as a symbol of virtue, wisdom, beauty, and goodness. Phoenix also has the meaning of harmony, peace, femininity, beauty, prosperity, expansion, ascent and success.

According to Chinese legends, phoenix represents the entire universe. The phoenix‘s head represents the sky, the eyes are the sun, the back is the moon, the legs are the earth, and the tail is a planet. It has been thought that a presence mediates between God and man, as well as dragon. In China, the Emperor has made the dragon his symbol, while phoenix is the symbol of the empress. Phoenix has always been considered a noble and auspicious symbol.

Pelikan Maki-e Phoenix fountain pen is a masterpiece that combines the craftsmanship of Pelikan Germany based on more than 180 years of tradition and technology coupled with superior Japanese traditional Maki-e painting techniques. Each Souverän M 1000 fountain is produced in Germany and then decorated in Japan. Every single 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 “Phoenix”, released in the year 2022 is available in a limited edition of only 123 pieces worldwide.

Each fountain pen is equipped with a finely chased 18 carat, two-tone gold nib and is encased in a traditional Japanese pen box of paulownia wood.