French luxury brand S.T. Dupont has released two limited Year of The Dog lighter and pen collections set in solid bronze and finished in glamorous yellow gold. The Year of the Dog—the eleventh in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle—commences on February 16, and it is said to bring forth a year full of loyalty, honesty, and of course, luck.
At first glance, the Ultra Exclusive Neo-Classic President pen ($19,500) is a maze of sharp lines and delicate metalwork. Featuring an 18ct solid gold nib, red lacquer across its full length, finished with solid bronze and lucky Chinese patterns. The Prestige Ligne 2, available in solid bronze, tiger eye stone and crystal rock, features the faithful animal against the traditional door motif on one side, and the Chinese ideogram on the other side.
Its counterpart, the Ultra Exclusive Ligne 2 double-flame lighter ($19,996), borrows many design elements from the pen, including red natural lacquer, antique door motifs, and an intricately carved dog. Both come with a ruyi, a ceremonial sceptre in Chinese Buddhism and a talisman symbolising power and good fortune. Both the Ultra Exclusive pen and lighter are limited to 88 pieces a lucky number in Chinese culture.
The Prestige Collection, limited to 288 pieces, this Neo-Classic President pen is available as both a fountain and rollerball. The Prestige Ligne 2 double-flame lighter ($7,250) designs and engravings as the Ultra Exclusive lighter, minus the touch of red natural lacquer. Available in solid bronze, tiger eye stone and crystal rock, features the faithful animal against the traditional door motif on one side, and the Chinese ideogram on the other side.