AP Limited Editions celebrates Russian Miniature Art from the School of Palekh, with a new introduction of the Circus, titled Le Cirque. From its origins in modern Rome to the present day, the Circus has been a popular form of entertainment through the ages and across all cultures. It is believed that the Circus finds its origins in ancient Rome where open-air stadiums housed horse and chariot races. Traveling circuses in Europe were common in the 18th century where animal trainers and performers went from town to town. Some noteworthy traveling circuses from Giuseppe Chiarini, Louis Soullier and Jacques Tourniaire introduced the circus to Russia. In 1919, a gentleman by the name of Vladmir Lenin nationalized the circus. This led to the creation of the State University of Circus and Variety Arts, better known as the Moscow Circus School in 1927. Today, circus performers are awarded recognition by The International Circus Festival that has been held in Monte Carlo since 1974. AP Limited Editions invites you to enjoy the many dimensions of the traditional circus... Le Cirque.

The Chinese Dragon is one of the most ubiquitous symbols of power, prosperity and abundance in Chinese culture. It is not surprising that dragon iconography appears on imperial emblems as many Asian dynasties trace their ancestry to this magnificent creature. Considered to be the ultimate symbol of good fortune, the mythological dragon has been immortalized through time in art, architecture, dance and literature. The Chinese Dragon, considered sacred and divine is also the ruler of lakes, rivers and oceans. It has the power to transform and adapt, creating rain and protecting crops. It is also believed to have supreme spiritual powers. AP Limited Editions invites you to invoke the abundance and good fortune represented by the bold and magnificent Chinese Dragon.

One of the most ancient symbols in antiquity is that of the lotus, a flower revered by Buddhists Hindus and the Greek and Latin Churches. As an emblem of the productive powers of nature, the lotus is unique in that it seeds and flowers at the same time. Born out of the bottom of muddy dark waters, the lotus flower slowly blossoms into full splendor moving up towards the light. The purity and spontaneity of The Padmini, a cluster of pink and white lotuses is explored here through the ancient Japanese Maki-e technique of mother of pearl and eggshell.

Ganesha’s mother is the Goddess Shakti, the divine feminine energy of the universe, the Goddess of supreme power and slayer of demons. She is also known as Parvati. Legend has it that her husband Lord Shiva was away from their home on the mystical Mount Kailash which is part of the Himalayas. Parvati was lonely and wished for a child to keep her company and so decided to make one on her own. She willed Ganesha into being and modeled every detail of his physical body into perfection. Baby Ganesha grew up strongly attached to his mother. One day he was instructed by Parvati to stand guard at the door of their home and not allow anyone in. Her husband Lord Shiva returned home after years to see a little boy refusing to let him enter his home. Shiva was enraged and not knowing his own son, cut his head off. At the same time Parvati emerged and was horrified! She revealed how Ganesha came into being to her husband who was stricken with remorse and used his supreme powers to restore the young Ganesha to life. He instructed other Gods and humans to bring back the head of the first human or animal they found. It so happened that the first head found was that of a baby elephant which was fused onto Ganesha’s body. Mother Parvati was reunited with her beloved son Ganesha. The mystical fusion of the elephant head onto a human body led to a unique combination of the wisdom of the Gods and the intelligence of the elephant. Ganesha embodies the power of the divine feminine mother energy and the wisdom of man and animal. He is the significator of auspicious new beginnings and the bestower of intelligence and wisdom

AP Limited Editions presents A Blade Of Magnificence in a stunning Maki-e rendition featuring the grandeur of an 18th century sword that stands as an immutable testimony to the artisanship of a bygone era and the character of British India. This distinctive style of imagery drew from a myriad of sources including Chinoiserie designs popular in Europe during the 18th century. Solid and striking, embellished with brilliant blue and green enameling featuring all kinds of vibrant flora and fauna, the sword and scabbard are typical of the ornate weaponry of the stately court of Awadh. AP Limited Editions invites you to experience A Blade Of Magnificence that shines through a noble writing instrument bearing in mind, to “Neither draw me without cause, nor return me without honour.” (Gaelic Sword Inscription)

AP Limited Editions presents ‘Lovers in a Landscape’ inspired by a painting of the same name, by a renowned 18th century Indian artist from the princely state of Lucknow in North India, called Mir Kalan Khan. The eclectic blend of European, Persian and Indian styles is elegantly captured in the subtle and soothing hues of the Palekh School of Russian Miniature Art. The city of Lucknow was an important cultural capital for North India under the rule of the Mughal emperors, namely Akbar, who was a great patron of art, music and craftsmanship. The trade routes between Europe, the Middle East and India flourished and political patronage fueled the growth of the city of Lucknow to become a lively spot to explore art and culture. The intermingling of European, Persian and Indian styles was apparent in the sensibilities of many artists of the time which found unique expression in stunning works of art that weave the threads of cross cultural traditions and continue to fascinate and enthrall us forever.

The Jamawar is inspired by a rare and rapidly vanishing art of weaving that originated in ancient Persia and found its way to the northern Indian state of Kashmir sometime in the 15th century. This expensive and intricate web of handcrafted warp and weft threads is used to make the most stunning stoles, more popularly known as Jamawar shawls in India. The Jamawar was a prized possession of kings and nobility through Indian Mughal history finding its way to European aristocracy in the 18th century. Ladies of the court adorned themselves in hand-woven stoles in bright and elegant multi-colored motifs that ranged from paisleys to flora and fauna borrowed from nature. The art of the Jamawar was kept alive through royal patronage that encouraged the talent and skill behind this painstaking form of weaving. With the passage of time and the rapid onslaught of industrialization, this beautiful technique is vanishing into antiquity.

AP Limited Editions celebrates Russian Miniature Art from the School of Palekh in this magical presentation called ‘Fantasia’. Many a ‘fairy’ tale has been the subject matter of the Russian Palekh style of art, and here’s a new rendition of fairy characters in brilliant colors set against a northern blue sky. Come and experience the magic of a fairy tale spun in this enchanted forest of imagination and experience your unique sense of ‘Fantasia’.

AP Limited Editions celebrates Russian Miniature Art from the School of Palekh, with the launch of Ebony and Ivory. Horses are one of the most graceful animals known for their speed. These herbivores have been man’s companion through history in war, transportation, hunts, horse and chariot races, traveling circuses, on farms and in equestrian sport. These intelligent, warm blooded mammals have amazing flight and fight responses. Horse symbolism can be traced through history on imperial coats of arms, art and architecture forms, textiles the Chinese zodiac and in modern day advertising and graphic art.

ONLY NINE PENS IN THIS EDITION (COPY TO FOLLOW)

ONLY NINE PENS IN THIS EDITION (COPY TO FOLLOW)

ONLY NINE PENS IN THIS EDITION (COPY TO FOLLOW)

ONLY NINE PENS IN THIS EDITION (COPY TO FOLLOW)

ONLY NINE PENS IN THIS EDITION (COPY TO FOLLOW)

ONLY NINE PENS IN THIS EDITION (COPY TO FOLLOW)

ONLY NINE PENS IN THIS EDITION (COPY TO FOLLOW)

ONLY NINE PENS IN THIS EDITION (COPY TO FOLLOW)