A Unique Work of Art
The fruit of the meeting of two traditions, of the coming together of two ideas, of collaboration between the goldsmith and the artist. Each of Makie creations is a work of art.
Mori Enoki, a master who personally decorated the lighter, died in 1999, so only a few of these are still in existence today. An extremely rare piece which could nod be reproduced.
These lighters were only made to order when the customer would prepay and then Dupont would manufacture a Line “D” or Soubreny model lighter in gold trim and black Chinese lacquer. Then the lighter travelled to Japan where the Master-craftsmen applied a special lacquer with 24-carat gold powder, eggshell or mother-of-pearl in a traditional Maki-E technique: layer after layer, polishing and re-applying until the lighter is complete.
Each lighter took about 3-4 months to finish – many hours of handwork. The best part is that these are unique because they are made by hand and there are always subtle differences in the details.
Each creation is a Limited Edition
Panther Line D Lighter / 17564
Black Chinese Lacquer with Gold Trim – the Panther on the lighter is created in traditional decorative techniques – Gold Tagadashi (Flat) and Taka (Raised)- Maki-E.
Flat and Raised patterns create the complete picture of the gracious animal occupying three quarters of the lighter’s front surface, coming alive with a natural and effortless continuum, from the lid onto the body.
Panther’s eyes are glimming with green precious collage of “Raden” – Another classique technique of miniature lacquer Decoration, using various various techniques of mother-of-pearl application.
Maki-E / Urushi Art Technique
Maki-E is a distinctive Japanese lacquerware technique that is said to have developed around 1200 years ago. It involves using a fine brush to paint a picture with lacquer on the surface of a vessel, and then sprinkling gold powder on the surface before it dries, creating a design. The word maki- means to sprinkle and e- means picture. There are various styles including “Togidashi Maki-e, “Hira Maki-e”, and “Taka-Maki-e”.
Besides creating designs with gold or silver powder atop a lacquer background Maki-E can also be used in conjunction with other techniques such as “raden” (decorative seashell work), gold and silver inlay, and “rankaku” (eggshell inlay).
This technique is also known outside of Japan as about four hundred years ago, large amounts were exported to mainly Europe.
