Montblanc pays tribute to the famous Beijing Opera with this Limited Edition Fountain Pen, symbolised with two coloured masks on the cap, rooted in the old Chinese dynasties.
Emperor Qianlong & Beijing Opera
Qianlong was the fifth emperor of the Qing dynasty and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper from 1735 to 1796. He was the longest-reigning Emperor in China’s history. His reign is considered to be the peak of the Qing Dynasty, a time of prosperity, stability and the flourishing of culture.
Qianlong not only guided the fortunes of the empire with care and skill, but was also himself a keen artist and patron of arts. He was a poet and calligrapher, and promoted China’s musical culture.
On his 80th birthday in 1790, Qianlong invited to his court some highly-talented opera troupes from the southern provinces to provide entertainment during the celebrations. They received a rapturous welcome and were engaged as an ensemble at the Imperial Court. The evolution of the regional styles of opera eventually resulted in a new style of its own: Beijing Opera, which remains to this day the highest expression of Chinese Culture. That’s why the year 1790 is generally held to mark the beginning of the evolution towards Beijing Opera.
Hou YI / The legendary saviour of the world
The roles and characters of Beijing Opera are based on centuries-old stories and legends from Chinese mythology. One of the best famous male roles, identified by his striking red mask, is Hou YI, a mythical figure from the Xia dynasty. According to Chinese folk mythology, in primeval times there were ten suns in the sky at the same time, threatening to burn up all life on earth. In desperation Yao, the ruler of China, implored the gods for salvation. Hou YI, the archer of the gods, was sent to avert the end of the world. With his bow and arrows, Hou YI set about shooting down one sun after another from the heavens, until only a single sun remained in the sky. Hou YI was therefore the saviour and hero of mankind.
The celestial archer Hou YI, whose courage saved the world, is one of the most illustrious roles at the Beijing Opera. It is his mask which brings its imposing character to adorn the “Beijing Opera Mask” Limited Edition 88 Fountain Pen.
Limited Edition 88
Based on the main theme, the Beijing Opera, the fountain pen is made of Au750 white gold, with a case of black lacquer.
Skillfully crafted from white gold with lacquer inlay, the mask of Hou YI on the cap of this writing instrument expresses the legendary enchantment that the Beijing Opera has displayed since its beginnings. The magic spell is enhanced even more by the four rings set with diamonds (approx. 0.79ct), the “shou” symbol on the clip, which stands traditionally for good luck and longevity, and the finely engraved decoration on the tapered filler cap and the ring of the cap.
The 18K rhodium-plated gold nib is also engraved with the same mask, symbolising the character Hou Yi, who stands for braveness, loyalty and uprightness. The Montblanc emblem is in mother-of-pearl crowning the cap top.
Limited to 88 pieces worldwide as a reference to the lucky number in Asia .
Launch 2008
Limitation:
Fountain Pens 88
