Mother-of-Pearl Lacquer Inlay Fountain Pen – Aurora 2

Mother-of-Pearl Lacquer Inlay Fountain Pen – Aurora 2 it is a traditional Vietnamese lacquer fountain pen crafted with the intricate technique of mother-of-pearl inlay. The beauty of Tam Nong natural lacquer, combined with meticulously selected multi-colored mother-of-pearl pieces by skilled artisans, results in an exquisite and premium masterpiece. This creation evokes the vibrant imagery of the Aurora Borealis while retaining its traditional, handcrafted essence and immense cultural value.

2. Materials Used in the Mother-of-Pearl Lacquer Inlay Fountain Pen – Aurora 2

Vietnamese Mother-of-Pearl Lacquerwork is a decorative technique applied to lacquer surfaces, creating diverse patterns and effects. The designs are then inlaid with mother-of-pearl, seashells, and abalone.

Craftsmen use specialized tools and materials, including:

• Vietnamese Mother-of-Pearl Lacquer Fountain Pen: Materials and Craftsmanship

  The core of the pen is carefully selected by artisans and made entirely from rare Vietnamese hardwoods such as ebony, rosewood, dalbergia, and scented wood.

  Lacquer Coating

  •Tam Nong Natural Lacquer: The primary material for the pen’s surface, offering durability and a glossy finish.

  •Traditional Decorative Materials: ConCoPens uses gold from Kieu Ky village, silver leaf, crushed gold, crushed silver, and natural materials like mother-of-pearl, seashells, abalone, and diatomaceous powder to create stunning effects.

  Adhesive

  The lacquer tree resin, sourced from Phu Tho province, serves as the main adhesive, bonding the lacquer layer with the wooden core.

  Natural Colors

  The pigments come from natural mineral powders:

  •Blue: Derived from malachite and lapis lazuli.

  •Red and Yellow: Made from cinnabar, realgar, and orpiment.

  Precious metals like the renowned Kieu Ky gold leaf or silver are also incorporated during the crafting process.

  Tools

  Craftsmen use tools such as brushes, feathers, nylon, or even their hands to create textures, patterns, and polish the lacquer surface.

  Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

  Rare, carefully selected mother-of-pearl, seashells, and abalone are used for intricate inlay patterns.

All these materials and techniques combine to create beautiful, high-value Vietnamese mother-of-pearl lacquer fountain pens, treasured across various fields and social classes.

2. The Production Process of Mother-of-Pearl Lacquer Inlay Fountain Pen – Aurora 2

The Production Process of Mother-of-Pearl Lacquer Fountain Pens at ConCoPens Includes the Following Key Steps:

The Production Process of Mother-of-Pearl Lacquer Fountain Pens at ConCoPens

• Creating the Pen Body and Cap: Carefully selected wood is dried, shaped, and drilled to form the pen body and cap.
• Smoothing the Pen Core Surface: The pen core surface is sanded smooth to ensure that the lacquer adheres firmly.
• Attaching Brass Threads and Polishing the Wood: Brass threads are installed, and the wood is polished before applying the lacquer layers.
• Applying the First Lacquer Layer: The first lacquer layer is applied to the pen surface, creating a foundation for subsequent layers.
• Designing Patterns: Once the initial lacquer layer is fully dried, decorative materials such as gold, silver, mother-of-pearl, and shells are used to create distinctive Vietnamese lacquerwork patterns. Tools are utilized to craft unique textures and motifs on the lacquer surface.
• Applying Lacquer Layers and Polishing: Additional lacquer layers are applied and polished to achieve a glossy or matte effect on the pen.
• Inlaying Mother-of-Pearl and Shells: Pieces of mother-of-pearl, seashells, and abalone are inlaid according to the artisan’s design intent.
• Surface Finishing: Finally, the lacquer surface is smoothed and hand-polished using natural powdered charcoal for a refined finish.

Each step is meticulously carried out by traditional Vietnamese lacquer artisans at ConCoPens. It requires hundreds of hours of craftsmanship and careful drying between multiple lacquer layers to create the exquisite handmade pen you hold in your hands.

3. The Value

As a handcrafted art product with a meticulous production process, each piece requires high precision and finishing, which creates the unique value of the lacquer fountain pen. The lacquer fountain pen holds significant value in various fields, including:

• Culture: Through lacquer pens, the traditional Vietnamese lacquer art is more distinctly recognized both domestically and internationally. Alongside traditional lacquer products like paintings, boxes, vases, and plates, the creation and use of lacquer pens help preserve the beauty of Vietnamese handicrafts.

• Education: Lacquer pens are used in education to help students understand the history and cultural heritage of Vietnam, as well as to develop writing and drawing skills.

• Decoration and Gifts: Lacquer pens are utilized for decorating homes and offices or as meaningful gifts for friends and family. These products are often valued for their aesthetic appeal and their historical and cultural significance.

4. Optimized Dimensions – Comfortable Grip, Natural Balance

The fountain pen is intentionally optimized in size, based on real writing experience and long-term usage habits. The proportions of length and barrel diameter are carefully balanced, allowing the pen to rest comfortably in the hand without causing fatigue during extended writing sessions.

The grip section features a gentle taper that helps guide the fingers into the correct position, providing stability and precise control over each stroke. Overall, the design emphasizes comfort, balance, and a natural feel, making it suitable for both everyday note-taking and slower, more mindful writing moments, where one can fully appreciate the experience of a handcrafted fountain pen.

5. Differences Between Vietnamese Lacquer and Japanese Lacquer

According to research materials, Vietnamese lacquer (sơn ta – laccol) and Japanese lacquer (urushi) both belong to the family of natural tree-resin lacquers that cure through enzymes and humidity. However, they differ in chemical structure and reaction dynamics.

Japanese urushi has shorter molecular chains and a higher number of double bonds, allowing it to cure more quickly and form a hard, highly glossy surface. In contrast, Vietnamese sơn ta has longer molecular chains with fewer double bonds, resulting in a slower curing process. In return, it offers greater flexibility, depth, and a warm, distinctive sheen.

This “slow but deep” characteristic is what creates the calm, enduring, and emotionally rich beauty of Vietnamese lacquer, setting it apart from the sharper, more crisp aesthetic of Japanese lacquer.

With its uniqueness and high artistic value, ConCoPens lacquer fountain pens deliver both spiritual meaning and everyday practicality. If you have any questions or need consultation, please contact us via email or our official fanpage. ConCoPens is always happy to assist you.