The Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy gets an exclusive fountain pen as a gift

Recently, an exclusive writing instrument has been presented to the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy: a limited edition fountain pen “La Torre di Pisa” by Montegrappa.

Visitors of the Museum, Alexey and Olga Belov, were so impressed with the Museum’s unique collection that they decided to donate the collectors’ fountain pen to the Museum.

Such a pen is an object of art itself, and just looking on its fine golden nib evokes the feeling of anticipation for some Copperplate writing.

The history behind this item is as beautiful as the pen itself. Here is it.

“The year 2007 is the 20th anniversary oldie inscription of Pisa's Campo dei Miracoli or Field of Miracles in the World Heritage List, the select list of cultural heritage sires recognized by UNESCO. Always ready to celebrate great international events with its original choice of subjects, Montegrappa has decided to dedicate a limited edition of one of its most sought-after pens to the Tower of Pisa, the symbol of the wonderful Romanesque complex of the Campo which is recognized and admired throughout the world.

With its four imposing buildings (the Duomo, the Tower, the Baptistery and the Cemetery) made of white marble which stand out against the brilliant green of the grass lawn, the Campo dei Miracoli is the most shining example of Pisan Romanesque and, as a whole, one of the absolute masterpieces of Romanesque architecture. At the same time it is the most spectacular testimony to the political and commercial power which made Pisa one of the most powerful cities of the Mediterranean for almost three centuries.

Using the exclusive technique of low-relief engraving, the Campo dei Miracoli has been depicted on the barrel made of sterling silver or, in the case of the most precious version, of 18K yellow gold, of the pen "Li Torre di Pisa" from Montegrappa. The Leaning Tower itself appears in the foreground with the Cathedral next to it. The barrel is also decorated with a pattern inspired by the diamond motif of the arcade of the first order, one of the most original and distinctive of the Tower,

The pen's cap band, on the other hand, shows an eagle, proud symbol of Pisa's power. Created by low-relief engraving, the eagle is enhanced by a frame of red lacquer, the colour of the Pisa coat of arms.

The barrel, cap band, clip and details are of sterling silver or 18K yellow gold while the material chosen for the cap, the section and the end cap is a precious resin, Mediterranean blue in colour, symbolizing the glorious nautical past of Pisa, once an important Roman port and, alter the year 1000, a powerful Maritime Republic. The fountain pen version has an 18K yellow gold nib and piston filling.

There is a total of 1173 pieces, a number chosen in honour of the year in which the construction of the Leaning Tower began.

Each example is presented in an elegant oak casket, decorated with a silvered or gilded plate depending on the version.”

Now this item sits proudly in the Museum’s showcase dedicated to writing instruments.

The Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy gets an exclusive fountain pen as a gift