With “Han Wu-ti” Limited Edition, Montblanc commemorates the great emperor who exerted a formative influence on the Central Empire. All elements of this Limited Edition highlight that golden period of Chinese History.
The Chinese Emperor Wudi is considered one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history due to his strong leadership and effective governance, which made the Han dynasty one of the most powerful nations in the world. During his reign as Emperor, he led the Han dynasty through its greatest territorial expansion.
His conquests brought growth in trading with countries in the West. This brought his empire luxury goods and wealth. In fact, in its best years under Han Wu-Ti, China enjoyed a level of affluence and prosperity that has remained unmatched up to the present day.
Han Wu-ti
Liu Ch’e, respected as Emperor Han Wu Di or Wu of Han, was the 7th Emperor of the Han Dynasty in the history of China, great-grandson of the Emperor Liu Bang. Wu-ti, meaning “martial emperor”, was a well-deserved title.
His reign lasted from 141 to 87 BC – an impressive 54 years. During this period Han Wu-Ti defeated the nomadic Xiongnu (Hsiung-nu), who were his empire’s worst enemies, and doubled the size of his realm with many wars of conquest, campaigning in all directions. These activities by Han Wu-Ti, earned him the honorary title of Wu – the “Warlike” or “Martial”.
But Han Wu-Ti was more than just a conqueror. He also laid the foundation stone for a highly-developed central administration. As Emperor he established China’s first University, had all of his officials educated there and obliged them, on principle, to accept “Confucianism” – which he adopted as the state religion. Only those who had a sound knowledge of classical Chinese literature and philosophy and were prepared to subject themselves to a strict code of values were regarded as suited to serve the Empire.
Despite his wars, Han Wu-Ti was also committed defender of China’s cultural heritage. He had a large library built, in which he proceeded to gather the literary treasures of the Empire. He was also a lover of “old music” and founded a ministry for collection of the songs of the forefathers.
But Han Wu-Ti was also a sponsor of contemporary art. He supported, for example, the new and sumptuous lyrical form of “Fu” poetry, which blossomed during his reign. Indeed the Emperor occasionally composed Fu poems of his own, although neither he nor any other achieved the mastery of the famous poet Sima Xiangru, who repeatedly delighted Han Wu-Ti with further examples of his richly ornamented verse.
Limited Edition 88
This exquisite fountain pen is made of 18K solid gold, barrel and cap coated with costly black enamel. A gold emblem on the cap, embossed by the hands of a master craftsman, shows a portrait of the Emperor. The name “Han Wu-Ti” has been eternalized on the barrel by artistic inlay work employing quality mother-of-pearl. The 18-carat gold nib is artfully adorned with the engraving of a dragon – a Chinese symbol of fortune, strength and longevity. Two small diamonds are embedded in the upper part of the cap. Montblanc emblem is in mother-of-pearl.
The “Han Wu-ti” Limited Edition is also available in Fountain pen and Watch Set – a unique masterpiece of traditional Swiss watchmaker artistry, with numerals of 18K solid gold and 8 diamonds set in gold, all inlaid in precious mother-of-pearl. At the center of the dial, a resplendent gold emblem embossed by a master’s hand shows a portrait of Han Wu-Ti. The watch strap is made of crocodile black leather. A timepiece of ageless beauty, its uniqueness documented by the hand-engraved edition number on the back.
Limited Edition 8
Both the fountain pen and the watch are made of 18K solid yellow gold. The fountain pen features diamond encrusted rings, weighing approximately 0.95-carats. The cap bears the 18-carat gold image of the Emperor. The name of Han Wu-ti appears in Chinese characters in a setting of mother-of-pearl. Medium 18K gold nib is adorned with the engraving of a five-clawed dragon.
The automatic wristwatch has a coin with the image of Emperor “Han Wu-Ti” on the dial. The outer part of the dial is made of mother of pearl and the numbers in 18-carat gold with diamonds. Diamonds weighing approximately 1.00 carats are encrusted around the dial. The watch strap is made of crocodile leather in yellow.
Launch 2002
Limitation:
Fountain Pens 88
Fountain Pens 8
The Limitation of the “Han Wu-ti” Edition is due to the lucky number in Asian culture
Fountain Pen 88
Fountain Pen 8
Fountain Pen & Watch 88
