Sơn Mài - The Crimson Hoa Ban (Whisper in Bloom)

Important Note: Son Mai is an extremely complicated and painstaking process where every single step, from scratch to finish, is handled by hands. Therefore, sometimes distinctive traces such as dots, brush traits, or uneven surfaces, can be observed in the final product. This unique characteristic is an aesthetic factor of Son Mai, making each pen an one-of-a-kind artwork of your own.

About Son Mai

Son Mai (Sơn Mài) painting is made with lacquer created from resin of Cay Son (Cây Sơn) tree (known as Rhus succedanea) grown in Phu Tho, Vietnam. In this technique, many layers of lacquer are applied, left to dry, and polished over many months or even a year. Precious decoration materials such as gold, silver, seashells, or eggshells are also used together in the application process.

However, what makes this technique so different from others is the Mài - grounding step. In Son Mai, the final image is fully revealed only after the lacquer layers are ground back. Therefore, the work of making Son Mai is unpredictable, arduous yet rewarding if the artist is persistent until the end.

About Master PHAM Chinh Trung

Each fountain pen carries the signature style of Master Pham Chinh Trung, where the familiar scenery from the countryside of Vietnam is illustrated using only the main colors of Son Mai such as Black, Red, and Green in combination with gold powder.

Every single fountain pen in this collection is crafted with the original idea and imagination of Master Pham Chinh Trung. Most of the designs here are limited to only 1 piece each and might never come back in the future.

Collection "Whispers in Bloom"

The Whispers in Bloom collection celebrates two flowers that have shaped Vietnam's cultural identity for centuries: the Lotus and the Hoa Ban. As the foremost Master of Son Mai (Vietnamese Lacquer) Art in Vietnam, Master Pham Chinh Trung handcrafts each collection to represent a significant aspect of Vietnam. While each possesses its own unique beauty and symbolism, together they tell a story of resilience, purity, and enduring love that has been passed down through generations.

Hoa Ban

The Hoa Ban is most well known as the symbol of the country's northwest region, carrying the meaning of a sincere and unwavering love that endures every hardship. Master Pham recreates the Hoa Ban blossoms rising prominently above the slender branches and leaves. The flowers appear to reach toward the heavens, illustrating how genuine love, hope, and determination can overcome even the harshest mountains, strongest winds, and greatest challenges. Their graceful form serves as a reminder that true beauty is found not in comfort, but in perseverance.

The Hoa Ban is available with either a deep black lacquer base, highlighting the blossoms with timeless elegance, or a rich crimson red base, symbolizing the warmth, vitality, and passionate spirit of spring in Vietnam.

Eggshell Artwork - SƠN TA (Son Ta)

SƠN TA (Son Ta) is a type of Vietnamese traditional paint used in Sơn Mài. The resin is made from the tree called Toxicodendron Succedaneum.

Due to the transparent nature of Urushi (lacquer), the Son Ta technique does not have a white color, which led to artisans in Vietnam inlaying eggshells directly onto the object as a complementary or contrasting decorative aspect to the artistic design.
The most challenging part is attaching the eggshell piece by piece before applying many layers of lacquer to in order to flatten the surface.

Product Care

Some models of Son Mai is crafted and decorated with real gold leaf and gold powder. Please handle with extra care to avoid damage to the surface. Please refrain from exposing your Son Mai pen to strong impacts, sharp objects, or objects that can peel off the finish such as sticky tape.

Specifications

Base material: ABS

Art: Eggshell Artwork - SƠN TA (Son Ta)

Filling mechanism: Converter or Cartridge (European International Standard)

Nib: #6 Jowo stainless steel, Keiryu, Keiryu Kodachi, & Shogun 18K gold 

Feed: Plastic, ebonite black, ebonite red (ebonite feeds are only compatible with #6 Jowo)

Compact air-tight cap: Prevents ink from drying prematurely

Size & Shape

Length: 154.8 mm (with cap), 135.5 mm (without cap)

Diameter: 15.5 mm (max)

Weight: 28 g (with cap), 19 g (without cap)

Packaging

Traditional Japanese Wooden Box + Pen Kimono + Instructional Materials + Converter + Cartridge