I was looking forward to seeing what Montblanc had in store for its newest High Artistry collection since I was quite sure that last year’s Kangxi collection would be a tough act to follow. But if pushing the boundaries of pen design is a primary goal of the Hamburg-based pen atelier (as it has demonstrated time and again), I knew I would not be disappointed by this celebration of the Taj Mahal.

In reference to last year’s homage to Emperor Kangxi, Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretzki told me the High Artistry collection (which debuted in 2014) offers, “the best we can deliver in terms of quality, craftsmanship and value.”

In my opinion, that “best” just keeps getting better.

A masterpiece in homage to Shah Jahan

The homage to Kangxi offered an opulent representation of various details of the Chinese emperor’s multifaceted life and work. And this year’s Celebration of the Taj Mahal is equally lavish as the three one-of-a-kind pieces here demonstrate.

Montblanc celebrates the Taj Mahal with a 10-piece limited edition

Each celebrates the artistic traditions of the Mughal Dynasty in India as well as one of its most enlightened (and I like to think most romantic) rulers, Shah Jahan, who reigned from 1628 through 1658.

The Mughal Dynasty ruled the majority of India and Pakistan during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and into the early eighteenth, and the peace it maintained during most of the seventeenth century led to India’s expansion.

Because of this, there was greater patronage of the arts – including architecture – particularly during the reign of Shah Jahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal in 1632.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal was built as a declaration of love and the final resting place for Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz, who died during childbirth. Considered the epitome of Muslim art in India, the Taj Mahal is more than a worthy inspiration for this amazing pen collection.

The Celebration of the Taj Mahal unique pens express a variety of Montblanc’s in-house artisanal skills at the Hamburg manufactory, including stone cutting and setting, hand engraving, enameling, and gold work.

The fountain pens are quite different in appearance due to the materials used, but they share a compelling curved shape not often seen in pen making. This profile recalls the shape of a traditional Mughal dagger, a sign of power. Weaponry evolved quite a bit during the dynasty’s reign, and a variety of decorative swords were introduced, including both straight- and curved-blade varieties.

The shape of the pen reminds me of a writing quill, and a peacock feather is ingeniously incorporated into the décor, tracing the graceful curve. But it is meant to remember Jahan’s highly decorated peacock throne made in the seventeenth century rather than as a reference to a writing tool.

The pen’s cap top resembles the dome of the Taj Mahal, and the gripping section is decorated with Mughal-inspired decorations.

Montblanc Taj Mahal Unique Limited Edition Black Myth

Legend says that Jahan intended to build a mirror image of the Taj Mahal in black as his final resting place across the river from his wife’s tomb.

So the Limited Edition 1 Black Myth is made from white gold covered with black sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds, crowned with a 6.24-carat brilliant-cut diamond.

Montblanc Taj Mahal Unique Limited Edition Black Myth

The peacock feather is set with diamonds totaling about 13.68 carats, and its center is decorated with a round opal that may be detached to reveal a mother-of-pearl carving of a lotus flower.

Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal Black Myth

The pen nib is 18-karat white gold set with a diamond, and it is engraved with two lovebirds.

Montblanc Taj Mahal Unique Limited Edition Insignia of Power

At the time of his crowning, Shah Jahan was given a decorated dagger by his father in the Mughal tradition.

Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal Insignia of Power

The Limited Edition 1 Insignia of Power, which references this object, is made of 18-karat yellow gold decorated with rough rubies and crowned with a 6.42-carat old mine diamond in recognition of India’s famed diamond mines.

The peacock feather is set with baguette- and individual-cut diamonds – about 16.78 carats – and its center is set with an engraved ruby cabochon that may be detached to reveal a miniature enamel painting of a daisy, which is considered a symbol of love.

Here, too, the 18-karat gold nib is engraved with two lovebirds, and it is set with a brilliant-cut diamond.

Montblanc Taj Mahal Unique Limited Edition Tears of the Moon

Emeralds held a special place at the Mughal Court and throughout the empire. Called “tears of the moon,” they were often inscribed with sacred text and worn as personal talismans, passed from father to son.

Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal Tears of the Moon

The Limited Edition 1 Tears of the Moon is made of 18-karat yellow gold decorated with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. The stones are set in a Kundan style, which is a traditional form of gemstone artistry that flourished during Mughal patronage.

Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal Tears of the Moon

A 6.1-carat step-cut emerald is at its crown, and the peacock feather is set with about 14.79 carats’ worth of diamonds. An individual rose-cut diamond detaches to reveal a miniature enamel painting of a bird. The 18-karat yellow gold nib is again engraved with two lovebirds, this time set with a tsavorite.

Other Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal editions

There are other fountain pen designs within the collection in editions of five, 10, and 76 pieces. And each has an 18-karat gold nib in yellow or champagne-tone gold.

Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal 5-piece limited edition

The yellow gold five-piece edition is beautifully hand engraved with motifs recalling the façade of the Taj Mahal, while rubies, diamonds, and emeralds add another touch of opulence.

Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal 10-piece limited edition

The ten-piece edition is 18-karat champagne-tone gold set with diamonds, white sapphires, and malachite using traditional jewelry-making techniques.

Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal 76-piece limited edition

The 76-piece champagne-tone gold edition is enhanced by red lacquer inlays, mother-of-pearl, and a single brilliant-cut diamond adorning a solid gold grid on the feather.

For more information, please visit www.montblanc.com.

Quick Facts Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal Limited Edition 1 Black Myth
Edition: fountain pen
Nib: 18-karat white gold set with a diamond
Cap and barrel: 18-karat white gold with black sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds and a round opal
Limitation: 1 unique piece
Price: contact Montblanc for pricing

Quick Facts Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal Limited Edition 1 Insignia of Power
Edition: fountain pen
Nib: 18-karat gold set with a brilliant-cut diamond
Cap and barrel: 18-karat yellow gold set with rough rubies, individual- and baguette-cut diamonds, an engraved ruby cabochon, and one 6.42-ct old mine diamond
Limitation: 1 unique piece
Price: contact Montblanc for pricing

Quick Facts Montblanc Celebration of the Taj Mahal Limited Edition 1 Tears of the Moon
Edition: fountain pen
Nib: 18-karat yellow gold set with a tsavorite
Cap and barrel: 18-karat yellow gold set with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds
Limitation: 1 unique piece
Price: contact Montblanc for pricing

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