To mark the 20th anniversary of the Montblanc Patron of Art Edition, Montblanc is honouring Gaius Cilnius Maecenas – whose name has become an eponym for “patron of the arts” – with a limited edition luxury fountain pen.
Gaius Maecenas – the first patron of the arts and culture. Gaius Cilnius Maecenas was born around 70 BC in what is today known as Arezzo in Tuscany. Well educated and of aristocratic birth, Maecenas enjoyed immense wealth throughout his life and achieved political influence as a friend and advisor of the Roman Emperor Augustus.
The design of both Editions is inspired by the columns of Roman temples. The barrel of Edition 4810 is finished in marbled lacquer, while the barrel of Edition 888 is made of the finest marble in homage to the material that has come to symbolise the Roman Empire.
In Limited Edition 4810, the first verse of Horace’s ode to Maecenas appears on the cap, which, like the rings, is crafted from 925 sterling silver. In Edition 888, this first line is rendered in 750 solid gold on a skeletonised cap, which features a ring engraved with “Gaius Cilnius Maecenas”. Edition 888 also features Maecenas’s portrait on a replica ancient Roman coin positioned on the bottom of the cone. The 18K gold nib, which is rhodium-plated in Edition 4810, is adorned with fine engravings of a laurel wreath and the Roman numerals “MMXI”, emphasising that this unique Edition is dedicated to the spiritual father of patronage.
The skeletonised Au 750 solid white and yellow gold cap of the Limited Edition 20 is set with diamonds (~1.2 ct) and inspired by the first line of the poem by the Roman poet Horace, which he wrote as an homage to Gaius Maecenas. Honouring the founding father of patronage, the Au 750 solid gold cap ring bears the inscription “Gaius Cilnius Maecenas”. The ring design is inspired by antique ornaments that were typical for the Roman Empire. The granite barrel reflects the typical structure of a Roman column, and the clip is inspired by an antique Roman sword. The Au 750 solid gold, rhodium-coated nib is decorated with “MMXT – referring to the launch year, 2011, in Roman letters. A Roman coin in the cone features the image of Maecenas. The emblem is made of mother-of-pearl.
Launch 2011
Limitation:
Fountain Pens 4,810
Fountains Pens 888
Fountain Pens 20
Fountain Pen 4810
Fountain Pen 888
