David Oscarson Koi Ruby Red Fountain Pen

The word koi comes from Japanese, simply meaning "carp". It includes both the dull grey fish and the brightly colored varieties. What are known as koi in English are referred to more specifically as nishikigoi in Japan, literally meaning "brocaded carp". In Japanese, koi is a homophone for another word that means "affection" or "love"; koi are therefore symbols of love and friendship in Japan.

The Koi design features three varieties of Koi, several bamboo leaves and a waterlily all in high and low relief (the bamboo motif is also repeated on the gripping section and clip). Multiple circles representing bubbles and flower petals are interspersed in high relief throughout the design and the guilloche background pattern represents koi pond ripples emanating from each of the various elements. The Koi Collection is the 27th in the David Oscarson series of Limited Edition Writing Instruments. This unique design stands as a tribute to David’s trip to Tokyo with Grant in 2016.

The Koi Collection continues in the spirit of artistic mastery and the tradition of Old World craftsmanship by combining the centuries-old technique of Guilloché with the art and expertise of Hard Enamel. Using a mortar and pestle, a composition of glass, water and metal oxides is ground for hours by hand. When settled, the water is removed, leaving the fine paste that is the basis for hard enamel. A quill is then used to apply each coat of the mixture to the surface of the metal, ensuring that the entire guilloché area is completely covered in enamel. The components are then fired in a furnace at temperatures exceeding 1,000° F, fusing the enamel to the metal and forming a layer of glass.

After cooling, the pieces are manually ground with a diamond file, restoring their proper shape and surface. This tedious process is repeated at length until the level of enamel reaches the depth required to cover the peaks and fill the valleys of each intricate guilloché pattern. When the final stages of firing are completed, the pieces are polished and buffed, revealing the velvet finish of translucent hard enamel. Production of translucent hard enamel demands the highest levels of patience, experience and skill. A five-year apprenticeship is required to ensure that the highest levels of quality will be met in each individual Collection piece.

The Koi Collection will be produced in three primary color variations: Translucent Teal, Ruby Red and Sapphire Blue; smaller, more limited color variations of the Koi Collection will also be produced.