The Lunar New Year, sometimes called the Spring Festival, commences this year on February 20, and it ushers in the Year of the Dragon, celebrating the fifth animal of the Chinese Zodiac. In Chinese culture, the mythical dragon is regarded as the giver of abundance and longevity, making it rich in symbolism and inspirational in its intent.
Following are a few pens that celebrate the dragon, uniquely interpreted by a variety of writing instrument brands.
Visconti Year of the Dragon
This pen is crafted from gold-plated sterling silver, engraved to depict a Chinese dragon against a background of small clouds of steam. Silhouetted against a traditional red background, the figure of the dragon is further accentuated by enameling, with a finely etched dragon-scale texture visible under semi-transparent enamel. A red ruby is elegantly set to depict the dragon’s eye, while the clip represents a golden Chinese dragon in mid-flight.
The Visconti Year of the Dragon is a limited edition of just 224 pieces available worldwide. Each fountain pen features an 18-karat gold nib and Visconti’s own high-power vacuum filling system. The packaging that holds the pen is inspired by the culture of the Far East and is reminiscent of the octagonal structure of a Chinese pagoda. The box is fitted with a rectangular window that allows a dramatic glimpse of the pen as it rests inside. The fountain pen is priced $5,995; the rollerball is priced at $5,795.
Caran d’Ache Straw Marquetry Dragon
Caran d’Ache steps outside the box with a handcrafted straw marquetry dragon depicted on the body of a Chinese Lacquer and 18-karat gold pen. The edition comprises just 20 pieces, fountain pen or rollerball, each taking nearly 25 hours at the hand of straw marquetry expert, French artisan Agnès Paul-Depasse, whose workshops are in Switzerland. In addition to the Straw Marquetry Dragon, Caran d’Ache is introducing a second limited edition for Chinese New Year 2024 named, simply, the Dragon. It is crafted in traditional red and gold, and it is limited to 888 pieces—the number “8” referencing good luck and fortune.
Benu Draco Dragon
Benu celebrates the Chinese New Year with the Draco Dragon, a hand-painted fountain pen limited to just 250 pieces. Here, a playful dragon decorates the barrel of the Euphoria pen model, known for its ergonomic design. The limited edition fountain pen features a complementary silver clip and a stainless steel nib. It comes with a convertor and two ink cartridges. The pen is priced at $280.
David Oscarson Black Water Dragon
Though first introduced several years ago, David Oscarson’s Black Water Dragon collection, the eighteenth in his series of limited edition pens, bears mention. It employs multiple levels of guilloche engraving and a combination of translucent and opaque hard enamel to achieve its dramatic appearance. The pens come in a few different colors, including translucent red and opaque black, and each is limited to 88 pieces (fountain pen and rollerball). The dragon, the sensational centerpiece of the pen that embraces the cap, is crafted in gold vermeil.