The Write Stuff

A couple of decades ago, the world had just witnessed the fall of the Soviet Empire, the age of the personal computer was merely in its infancy and economies of the world had yet to see the kind of bulls and bears that now run rife through the markets.

No matter, because the one constant that could always be brought to the bank was arts, in its ability to transcend mere mortals to extraordinary realms of humanity, even, perhaps, to provide that touch of divinity. And, thus, when Montblanc presented its first Patron of Art Limited Edition in 1992, it naturally became the coveted objet d’art of not just men of letters, but men of prestige as well.

Recent years have seen plenty of artful manifestations in the writing instruments: from the Oriental-tinged Max von Oppenheim that is inspired by the eponymous cross-border cultural ambassador to the François I fine-engraved piece with Renaissance ornaments and the Sir Henry Tate version characterised by its clear, tectonic shapes.

This year, the Patron of Art Edition is dedicated to the first ‘Patron of the Arts’, Gaius Cilnius Maecenas, who lived between 70BC and 8BC. This politician and diplomat also enjoyed a close association with Octavian, who became later became Augustus, the first Roman Emperor.

Maecenas himself also became adept in statecraft and, via his use of literature, reconciled the populace with the new order of Augustus and broadened the glory of the empire. Roman aesthetics and symbols are found on the instrument, with a marbled lacquer barrel and the first verse of an ode to Maecenas by Horace, richly crafted in 925 sterling silver.

Other embellishments include the inlaid reproduction of an ancient Roman coin on the base of the cone and, of course, the rhodiumplated 18K gold nip, ennobled by a laurel wreath and MMXI, to signify the year this writing instrument coming into being.

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