Each spring, Montblanc introduces a limited edition writing instrument collection that pays tribute to a historical patron of the arts. This pen debut typically coincides with the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award, which has become a world-renowned – and indeed highly anticipated – event for nearly three decades. Montblanc Patron of Art Edition 2020 celebrates the life and influence of Moctezuma I (c.1398-1469).
In partnership with the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia in Mexico, the four limited editions share the story of the cultural achievements and influence of statesman and patron of art Moctezuma Ilhuicamina, who became ruler of the Aztec Empire in 1440 and reigned for nearly 30 years during its golden age.
The Aztec Empire was consolidated, during the rule of the second Aztec emperor Moctezuma I. He is the one responsible for the remarkable artistic and architectural achievements of Aztec culture. This is why he is the inspiration behind the Patron of Art pen collection which pays tribute to those who exemplify the importance of art patronage throughout the world. This great ruler made a mark way back in 1440 to 1469 as he brought social, economical, and political reform to strengthen the Aztec rule.The ruler is known most for his building projects, including the dike across Lake Texcoco and the temple to the god Huitzilopochtli. Today, the temple is known as Templo Mayor.
In honor of Moctezuma’s reputation as a great warrior, the shape of this Limited Edition 4810 is inspired by the atlatl, an Aztec tool used to propel spears or darts over long distances. The colors of the lacquer cap and barrel – petrol blue and carmine, respectively – are prominent in Aztec culture.
The cap of the pen features a gold-coated motif reminiscent of the tool’s thread-wrapped handles. The pattern on Moctezuma I’s cloak, a symbol of his high rank, is represented beneath the translucent lacquer. The cap is further embellished with two Aztec hieroglyphs taken from the Mendoza Codex, which indicate the years in which the reign of the Aztec king began and ended. And the spear-shaped elongated clip reveals an engraving of a quetzal’s feather, crowned by a red stone. The contour of the hammer-finished cone is based on a traditional Aztec sacrificial knife.
The handcrafted 18-carat gold nib is adorned with an engraving inspired by the Aztec glyph for the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán (now Mexico City): a three-armed cactus with a royal diadem and two scrolls.
The colors of this edition – turquoise and carmine – were used in fashioning royal garments. The sterling silver pen cap is artfully engraved with a traditional Aztec décor, and the lacquered barrel is engraved with a pattern again reminiscent of Moctezuma I’s cloak. It features four lines in 18-carat champagne-tone gold, evoking the directions that radiated from the Templo Mayor, the main temple and the literal center of the Aztec world.
The spear-shaped clip features an engraving of a quetzal’s feather, and it is set with a triangular-cut green jade. The forepart of the writing instrument and the cone are crafted from sterling silver, contrasting with the 18-carat champagne-tone gold fittings and the hand-crafted solid gold nib. The Montblanc emblem, made of mother-of-pearl, is embedded in the engraving of an Aztec sun disk.
This version is limited to just 87 pieces in homage to 1987, the year when the Templo Mayor was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Montblanc Patron of Art Limited Edition 87 employs turquoise, which is a familiar stone used in Aztec decoration, and Central American cocobolo wood, a reference to the material used to make the traditional atlatl.
The turquoise mosaic in Aztec style on the cap is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail and an artistic sensibility that makes every one of the 87 pieces in the edition slightly different. The mosaic is refined with Au 750 solid champagne-tone gold inlays set with jade cabochons and a central Aztec motif symbolising the “five suns” creation myth. The gold on this edition is specially treated to create a vintage look similar to the distressed appearance often found in ancient artefacts.
The mosaic is handcrafted, making every one of the pieces in the edition unique. The mother-of-pearl Montblanc emblem is embedded in an engraving of a traditional Aztec sun disk on the cap crown.
The hand-crafted 18-carat gold gold nib is engraved with a glyph denoting the heart, a symbol of sacrifice. A further glyph engraved represents the second name of Moctezuma I – Ilhuicamina – meaning: “He, who shoots an arrow into the sky”.
This edition, which comprises just eight pieces, is all about the pageantry of Moctezuma I and the Templo Mayor. The pen features an 18-carat champagne-tone gold cap whose elongated shape is set with diamonds, garnets, green tsavorites and multi-coloured sapphires. It is also decorated with a hand engraving of the winged Huitzilopochtli, patron god of the Aztecs.
Three-dimensional engravings of an eagle and cactus represent the foundation myth of the Aztec capital, while the two double-headed snakes symbolize renewal, fertility and luck. The spear-shaped clip is embellished with a triangular-cut green jade, and the cap crown sparkles with a Montblanc diamond. The barrel of the writing instrument is made of dark red jasper, with 18-carat champagne-tone gold inlays.
Launch 2020
Limitation:
Fountain Pen 4810
Fountain Pen 888
Limited Edition 87
Limited Edition 8
