Don’t Forget That Other Special Holiday In February - Forbes

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Caran d'Ache Year of the Ox in lacquered presentation case.

Caran dAche

Chinese New Year—sometimes called the Lunar New Year—is right around the corner, falling this year just a couple of days before Valentine’s Day on February 12. The date on which the multi-day festival begins is based on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. And as one of the most important holidays in China, celebrations last about 15 days.

This year welcomes the ox as the governing animal among the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac, which comprises a cycle that repeats every twelve years. Thus the ox’s attributes are at the fore, connoting fortune and prosperity through hard work and stamina. People born under the sign of the ox are said to be dependable and determined.

Caran d’Ache Chinese Calendar collection

Year of the Rat fountain pen.

Caran d'Ache

Caran d’Ache has been augmenting its Chinese Calendar collection for several years, each pen showcasing the company’s expertise in Chinese lacquering and its long history in fine engraving. The pens created for the collection are a testament to the Geneva-based company’s 100-year history in these artisanal techniques. In fact, Caran d’Ache is one of the few manufacturers in Europe that still maintains the art of Chinese lacquer. 

 And I can think of no other collection from Caran d’Ache that shows off lacquering in quite the same way as this one.

Year of the Pig fountain pen.

Caran d'Ache

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The technique requires multiple coats of lacquer applied over the course of about twelve days—by hand, of course. A contrasting color of Chinese lacquer is beneath the coats of black lacquer, so when the pen is artfully engraved, the calligraphic figure emerges. It reminds me, a bit, of a much-more sophisticated version of scratch painting wherein a single color of paint covers other colors, and as the topcoat is removed the other hues—and indeed a picture—are revealed.

Here’s a quick rundown of some recent examples, starting with this year, the Year of the Ox, wherein Caran d’Ache used a regal purple shade to contrast with the shiny black topcoat of Chinese lacquer. The Year of the Rat, celebrated in 2020, offered a contrasting shade of blue, while the Year of the Pig in 2019 featured a gold underlay.

Year of the Rooster fountain pen.

Caran d'Ache

The Year of the Dog, 2018, reveals an understated gray figure, and Caran’d’Ache used a clear red to call forth the bird in the Year of the Rooster, which was celebrated in 2017. I can only imagine the deftness required to remove the exact amount of lacquer to reveal the image on each pen.

There are just 888 fountain pens and 888 rollerball pens in the Year of the Ox collection, and each features gold-plated trim and an exclusive marking designating the use of authentic Chinese lacquer. The gripping sections of both the fountain pen and the rollerball also feature engraving, as in earlier years. This, I think, adds an additional touch of exclusivity. The fountain pen, filled by cartridge of converter, has a specially engraved 18-karat gold nib.

The pens come in a beautifully polished presentation case, which also includes a certificate of authenticity for this limited edition.

The Link Lonk


February 04, 2021 at 09:00PM
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Don’t Forget That Other Special Holiday In February - Forbes

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