Each year for the last two and a half decades, Montblanc releases a unique limited edition writing instrument called the Patron of Art pen collection that celebrates the cultural legacy and patronage of a historical patron of the arts. This year’s Patron of Art Edition pays tribute to Publius Aelius Hadrianus (76 –138 AD). The great Roman emperor ruled for 21 years over an empire spanning three continents and focused on peace and prosperity. He is known for investing in the arts and architecture throughout his empire. As an homage to Hadrian’s architectural legacy, the shape of the gold-coated cap top and one of the Hadrian pen collection is inspired by the impressive Roman buildings he commissioned. Just like the columns of his buildings, the cap and barrel of limited edition pens are made of Egyptian basalt, while the Montblanc emblem in black and white precious resin crowns the center of the cap top. The handcrafted Au 750 gold nib is decorated with an engraving of the Hadrianic phoenix with a halo and laurel leaf and the pattern on the top ring and the cone ring is inspired by a decoration used in the Roman empire with a reference to the Roman god Janus.
Patron of Art Limited Edition 888
As the name suggests, this edition is limited to 888 pieces. Featuring a sterling silver cap top that recalls the domed shape of one of Hadrian’s great buildings, the center of the cap top is decorated with the Montblanc emblem in precious mother-of-pearl. The cap is adorned with two intricate Au750 solid red gold medallions inspired by the ancient Roman Aureus, a coin highly sought after by collectors because of its purity and value. The partially rhodium-coated red nib is engraved with the Hadrianic phoenix with a halo and laurel leaf.
Patron of Art Limited Edition 76
Limited to just 76 examples, the number of pieces in this edition is a reference to the year of Hadrian’s birth. While the Montblanc emblem is in mother-of-pearl at the center of the cap top, the cap crown and other fittings are made of solid white gold. The barrel made of matte Egyptian basalt features a contrasting shiny hand-carved peacock, which is regarded as a symbol of immortality and was once part of the original decoration of Hadrian’s mausoleum. The handcrafted yellow gold nib is engraved with the Hadrianic phoenix with a halo and laurel leaf.
Montblanc Patron of Art Limited Edition 5
This is the most exclusive writing instrument of the collection and is limited to just 5 examples, representing Hadrian’s legacy as one of the “five good emperors.” A rotating solid gold sphere augmented with a hand-engraved Montblanc emblem decorates the cap top. The white gold barrel of the pen is embellished with a hand-carved peacock surrounded by handset dark blue sapphires. The hand-engraved pattern on the white gold cap is inspired by the traditional Roman building’s typical mosaic floor and is embellished with by a handset micro mosaic made of carefully selected pieces of black and white glass, manufactured in a special process and precisely positioned on a base of stucco.