Usher in the Lunar New Year with one of these 12 fountain pens from the Namiki Zodiac collection. Each pen is adorned with illustrations of 1 of 12 animals representing the Chinese Zodiac, and is presented in paulownia wooden boxes. Based on the traditional Chinese calendar, 2008 is the Year of the Rat. The image of the rat is applied by hand onto the pen using the millennium-old Maki-e method by the Namiki Kokkokai, a group of skilled lacquer ware craftsmen. 

This painstakingly detailed process of the Maki-e method involves sprinkling gold and silver dust on black lacquer, before coating it with Urushi lacquer – made from the sap of Japanese lacquer trees – to create intricate designs. Precious mother-of-pearl is then used to highlight the finer design details. Owners of Maki-e writing instruments are entitled to a lifetime guarantee. To own a piece of this exquisite pen, you have to part with S$4,280 (US$2,982).

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