For over a century Montblanc has developed a unique know-how, combining subtle variations and and adjustments to traditional craftsmanship with high precision and sophisticated technology. The Métiers d’Arts mastery allows the Maison to offer unique pieces of craftsmanship combining an extraordinary art of stone setting, engraving and gold nib crafting among others. This know-how comes to life in the High Artistry pieces, pushing the limits of excellence to an unprecedented level.
The new Montblanc High Artistry, A Celebration of the Taj Mahal Edition celebrates the opulant artistic traditions of the Mughal dynasty in India as well as one of its most enlightened rulers, Shah Jahan, who reigned from 1628 through 1658.
The Mughal Dynasty ruled the majority of India and Pakistan during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and into the early eighteenth, and the peace it maintained during most of the seventeenth century led to India’s expansion. Because of this, there was greater patronage of the arts, including architecture – particularly during the reign of Shah Jahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal in 1632.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal was built as a declaration of love and the final resting place for Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. It also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself.
Considered the epitome of Muslim art in India, the Taj Mahal is more than a worthy inspiration for this amazing pen collection. The Montblanc Taj mahal Collection – each a one-of-a-kind fountain pen, and each is a gorgeous display of several artisanal techniques, from stone cutting and setting to hand engraving, enameling and gold work.
Montblanc’s High Artistry Taj Mahal Edition has 3 Unique pieces (Black Myth LE1, Insignia of Power LE1 and Tears of the Moon LE1), and the other versions of Taj Mahal series, each decorated to perfection in true Montblanc style are Limited to 5, 10 and 76 pieces.
The fountain pens are quite different in appearance due to the materials used, but they share a compelling curved shape not often seen in pen making. This unique curved shape is inspired by a traditional Mughal dagger, a sign of power; Weaponry evolved quite a bit during the dynasty’s reign, and a variety of decorative swords were introduced, including both straight- and curved-blade varieties.
Instead of a traditional clip, the pens feature a peacock feather, a reference to the peacock throne made for Shah Jahan in the early 17th century. The throne, regarded as one of the most magnificent thrones ever created, featured two gilded peacock tails set with diamonds, rubies and other precious stones.
The cap top of the pens recalls the dome of the Taj Mahal, built during the Golden Age of the Mughals, and the gripping section is decorated with Mughal-inspired decorations. The foreparts of the pens display renderings of traditional Mughal decorations. The stones are set in a Kundan style, which is also a traditional form of gemstone artistry that flourished during Mughal patronage.
Limited Edition 1 / Black Myth
The black and white coloration of this edition is inspired by the legend that Shah Jahan planned to build a mirror image of the Taj Mahal in black. It was intended to stand on the opposite side of the Yamuma River from his wife’s resting place.
The pen is fashioned from white gold covered with thousands of black sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds in a pavé setting, with one 6.24-carat brilliant-cut diamond, as a center stone, crowning the cap top. The peacock feather is set with square and individual-cut diamonds totaling about 13.68 carats, and its center is adorned with a round white opal cabochon that may be detached to reveal a lotus flower in the mother-of-pearl marquetry. The lotus is the national flower of India. It represents the purity of heart and mind.
Symbol of the eternal love between Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Au750 yellow gold nib is adorned with two lovebirds, which are surrounded by flowers and leaves and set with a brilliant cut diamond.
Black Myth
Limited Edition 1 / Insignia of Power
The name of this edition is inspired by the symbolism of the dagger in the Mughal tradition. Shah Jahan received a personal dagger from his father at the time of his crowning to confirm his powerful status.
The writing instrument made of Au750 yellow gold is decorated with rough rubies, kept in a style that is reminiscent of the traditional Kundan stone setting. Crowned with a 6.42-carat old mine diamond, as a center stone, this unique Limited Edition Pen represents the world’s first Indian diamond mines, and the legendary stones that were created from them.
The peacock feather is set with baguette and individual-cut diamonds, approx. 16.78 carats – and the center is adorned with a detachable 2.45ct ruby cabochon which covers a miniature enamel painting of a daisy, a traditional symbol of true love. Here, the 18K gold nib is also engraved with two lovebirds, and it is set with a brilliant-cut diamond.
Insignia of Power
Limited Edition 1 / Tears of the Moon
Amongst the Mughal courts and throughout the empire, emeralds held special names and meanings, and were often inscribed with sacred text. Inspired by these sacred stones, “Tears of the Moon” represents the dynastic heirloom passed from father to son which was worn as a personal talisman and revered for being a mysterious green fire, ranging from lunar opacity to clear transparency.
The Au750 yellow gold body is adorned with rubies, emeralds and diamonds, using traditional Kundan stone setting. The 6.10-carat step-cut emerald is this instrument’s center stone, crowning the cap top, and the peacock feather is set with about 14.79-carats of diamonds. The individual rose-cut diamonds detaches to reveal a miniature enamel painting of a bird – another visual representation of eternal love. The 18K yellow gold nib is again engraved with two lovebirds, this time set with a tsavorite.
Tears of the Moon
Limited Edition 5 / Shah Jahan
The design of Montblanc High Artistry Limited Edition 5 is reminiscent of the delicate arabesques and flower garlands that adorn the white marble façade of the Taj Mahal.
Made of solid Au750 yellow gold, the cap and barrel of the pen are artfully hand engraved with Mughal motifs. The cone and cap top embellished with rubies, emeralds and diamonds, in a style of Kundan stone setting, add another touch of opulence.
Limited Edition 5
Limited Edition 10
Montblanc High Artistry, A Celebration of the Taj Mahal, Limited Edition 10 is entirely decorated with beautifully engravings inspired by the granulation technique and ancient Indian hand engravings.
The ten-piece Edition in Au750 champagne-tone gold is set with diamonds, white sapphires, and malachite using traditional jewelry-making techniques.
Limited Edition 10
Limited Edition 76
The Limited Edition 76 is inspired by the extraordinary magnificence of Maharajas and the art forms that flourished under the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The 76-piece champagne-tone gold Edition is enhanced by red lacquer inlays, mother-of-pearl, and a single brilliant-cut diamond.
The luxurious combination of red lacquer and champagne-colored gold reminds us of the untold wealth of the Maharajas – patrons of art. Red symbolizes passionate love between Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. In addition, this shade is present in the marble decoration of the Taj Mahal.
The peacock feather décor is crafted from polished rhodium-plated gold. In the center of the feather is a mother-of-pearl “rose” covered with a gold lattice and a single round-cut diamond set on it.
Launch 2019
Limited Edition 76
