To create a small writing instrument based on the world’s longest wall is no mean feat. Having said that, trust Montblanc’s inimitable high artistry to capture the grandeur of a 21,196.18 km long wall into creating functional writing instruments or objets d’art. This spectacular collection encapsulates the cultural influence of the world’s longest human-made monument and one of the Eight Wonders of the world. It is called Montblanc High Artistry, A Tribute to the Great Wall collection. With a total of 5 pens, the brand has tried to hand-pick the marvels that spanned the three dynasties that built it – from Qin to Han to the Ming Dynasty. Each of the five different editions effectively captures several inspiring elements like the Great Wall of China itself, the astonishing Ming Dynasty, dragons, and more through goldsmithing, hand engraving, lacquering, enameling, embroidery, precious stone setting, and metal skeleton sculpture. The Montblanc High Artistry A Tribute to the Great Wall Limited Editions LE1, LE5, LE10, and LE88 honor the ancient form of calligraphy for which a calligraphy brush inspires the shape of the writing instrument. Not only that, the edition features a curved nib with a tip that has a 45° angle favorable for creating beautiful handwriting.
The Montblanc High Artistry A Tribute to the Great Wall Limited Edition 1 Imperial
The Montblanc High Artistry A Tribute to the Great Wall Limited Edition 1 Imperial immediately strikes a resemblance to the Great Wall twisting like a massive stone dragon over a vast landscape. The vision of this massive dragon comes truly alive on the Au750 solid yellow gold cap and barrel in a pavé of sapphires, rubies, tourmaline, and diamonds.
The Montblanc High Artistry A Tribute to the Great Wall Limited Edition 5 Imperial
Similarly, Edition 5 Imperial captures Chinese art and culture that blossomed during the Ming Dynasty. With the use of the enamel cloisonné and champlevé technique, the cap and the barrel of the pen acts as a metaphor of elaborate Ming enamel painted vases. Another out-of-the-box element here is the cone containing a calligraphy brush made of squirrel hair stabilized with translucent lacquer. This part can be exchanged with a real brush so that the writing instrument can be repurposed as a Chinese calligraphy brush.
Montblanc High Artistry A Tribute to The Great Wall Limited Edition 10
Montblanc High Artistry A Tribute to The Great Wall Limited Edition 10 focuses on silk embroidery craft, with delicately handcrafted gold stitching embroidered onto the barrel depicting the Great Wall from the Han dynasty. The cap is crowned with a Montblanc interpretation of an inkpot, while mother-of-pearl adorns the cap as plates held by solid gold pins designed to look like Han dynasty royal burial shrouds.
Montblanc High Artistry A Tribute to the Great Wall Limited Edition 88
Montblanc High Artistry A Tribute to the Great Wall Limited Edition 88, made of Au 750 solid white gold, is influenced by the armor of the Qin Dynasty warriors. The pen is highlighted with a precious Kalahari jasper barrel ring engraved with a design inspired by the tale of the beacon towers.
Montblanc High Artistry A Tribute to The Great Wall Limited Edition Meisterstück Skeleton LE333
The Montblanc High Artistry A Tribute to The Great Wall Limited Edition Meisterstück Skeleton LE333 highlights how the wall winds protectively around China. The Meisterstück 149 fountain pen is decorated with nine dragon motifs, a number considered auspicious and associated with the Chinese dragon, a symbol of magic and symbolic colors red and yellow. Montblanc High Artistry successfully articulates the fascinating story of the world’s longest man-made monument on their writing monuments.
