Pens and Dragons
The Straw Marquetry Dragon was created by prestigious Swiss writing instrument manufacturer Caran d’Ache as a tribute to the Year of the Dragon, the fifth sign of the Chinese zodiac.
Produced in an exceptionally limited edition of just 20 individually numbered pieces, the pen was designed by artist and Caran d’Ache ambassador Jean-Philippe Kalonji.
Its design combines glossy black Chinese lacquer with various 18-karat gold-plated elements, including, naturally, the magnificent dragon that dominates its appearance. Several components of the pen are inspired by the texture and geometry of dragon scales, while the nib itself is crafted from 18-karat gold and polished by hand.
The Rare Art of Straw Marquetry
The true highlight of the pen is its remarkable decorative technique, which brings together traditional craftsmanship and artistic creativity.
Caran d’Ache, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024, employed an ancient and exceptionally rare decorative craft known as straw marquetry.
Traditional marquetry involves applying pieces of wood veneer or other materials to wooden surfaces—such as cabinets, tables, chairs and decorative objects—to create intricate patterns and images. In straw marquetry, however, pieces of straw replace the wood veneer and become the material used to form the decorative motifs.
The body of the pen is embellished with rye straw, a distinctive natural material meticulously prepared by hand at the company’s workshops in Geneva.
The straw is colored in heated dye baths to achieve its unique spectrum of shades. Each individual piece is then carefully applied by hand to create an organic pattern evoking the appearance of dragon scales.
The result transforms an unexpectedly humble natural material into an expression of exceptional craftsmanship and luxury.
A Collector’s Writing Instrument
The fountain pen features a filling system compatible with either ink cartridges or a converter.
It is presented in an elegant wooden presentation box finished in glossy black lacquer. The box itself incorporates straw-marquetry motifs that complement the decoration of the pen, turning the entire presentation into a collector’s object.
Bottom line: Straw has never looked this luxurious.
Prices:
Fountain Pen – approximately $42,000
Rollerball – approximately $39,000
