Montblanc Patron of Art 2020 Moctezuma 888 Fountain Pen

This Limited Edition collection honours the remarkable artistic and architectural achievements of Aztec culture, and the influence of one of its great leaders

With its origins in the culture of writing, Montblanc is actively engaged in the promotion of arts and culture. Part of this engagement has been to recognize the exceptional contributions of modern-day patrons of the arts around the world for the past 28 years with an annual award. Every year, to coincide with the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award, Montblanc introduces a Limited Edition writing instrument that pays tribute to the cultural legacy and patronage of a historical patron of the arts. Created in the Montblanc Artisan Atelier from precious materials and shaped by highly skilled master craftsmen with great care and dedication, the new Montblanc Patron of Art Edition 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 tell the story of the cultural achievements of Moctezuma Ilhuicamina who was elected ruler of the great Aztec Empire in 1440 and reigned for nearly 30 years during its golden age. In addition to expanding the borders of his empire all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, he is credited for shaping the image of the Aztec state that has endured to this day, one rich in culture and mythology. The capital city Tenochtitlán, today’s Mexico City, blossomed under his rule with the construction of new buildings, sculptures and lush botanical gardens. Among his many building projects, he paid particular attention to the renewal of the Templo Mayor, which he reconstructed magnificently.

Montblanc Patron of Art Limited Edition 888

The colours of this edition – turquoise and carmine red – were favoured in Aztec culture and used in royal garments. The engravings on the Ag 925 sterling silver cap represent Moctezuma’s weapons, skulls and traditional Aztec’s ornaments. The lacquered turquoise barrel is engraved with a pattern reminiscent of his cloak, a symbol of the high rank of Moctezuma I, and features four lines of Au 750 solid champagne-tone gold, evoking the cardinal directions that radiated out from the Templo Mayor. The spear-shaped clip is refined with an engraving of a Central American quetzal’s feather and set with a triangular-cut green jade. The forepart of the writing instrument and the cone with its distinctive hammering optic are crafted from Ag 925 sterling silver, contrasting with the precious 750 champagne-tone gold fittings and the handcrafted solid gold nib adorned with the Aztec glyph for the city of Tenochtitlán: a three-armed cactus with a royal diadem and two scrolls. The Montblanc emblem made of mother-of-pearl on the cap top is embedded in the engraving of an Aztec sun disk honours the ruler’s diverse architectural constructions and ornamentation in the cities of the Aztec empire.