Montblanc has once again turned to the history books for inspiration for its newest High Artistry collection addition.
Named for Hannibal Barca (247 – between 183 and 181 BC), considered one of the greatest military commanders of the antiquity alongside Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great, the new High Artistry collection features the use of several outstanding techniques, from stone cutting and setting to granulation lacquering, as well as cutting-edge technology like the use of an ultraviolet laser to create writing instruments that will stand the test of time.
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The design of the new High Artistry editions is inspired by the major events of the second Punic war, when Hannibal made his epic crossing of the Alps in 218 BC accompanied by his elephants. Each of the editions features a cap top in the shape of an elephant with a clip shaped like the animal’s trunk. In reference to his military exploits, many details used in the editions evoke the military armor worn by the Punic army, whether delicate engravings on the cone ring to ancient drawings to Punic armor design engraved on the nib.
Limited to just one piece worldwide as a tribute to this fearless individual and with a price of €1.5 million, the High Artistry Homage to Hannibal Barca Limited Edition 1 features a dazzling combination of white gold and diamonds contrasting with a full pave of blue sapphires. The elephant trunk clip is one of the most sophisticated clips ever conceived by Montblanc, with all stones set on clip and elephant head of the cap individually cut and set by hand requiring months of meticulous work.
Because of the unusual shape of the clip, the Montblanc Artisan Atelier developed an external tensioned clip to achieve the design and aesthetics of the elongated trunk of the elephant, while at the same time providing high precision and smooth clip function. The white gold fitting stands out against the deep blue of the sapphires on the barrel, embellished with individual rows of carée cut diamonds.
Celebrating his epic journey to victory, the forepart of the writing instrument is engraved with his route from Carthage to Rome. The Au750 solid gold nib is decorated with a special design representing the Carthaginian deity Baal’Hammon and adorned with two brilliant-cut diamonds. Crowning the fountain pen, a magnificent 6.03 ct. brilliant-cut DFL diamond is displayed on a stone-holding table set with diamonds. Achieving this feat of stone-setting virtuosity requires absolute precision from Montblanc’s stone setters. A blue sapphire cabochon from Ceylon shines at the base of the cone, adding dazzling elegance to this one-of-a-kind work of art.
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