The Aphrodite

The unique beauty of the APHRODITE fountain pen by MONTEGRAPPA is evident on first glance. Its bold size, the sculptural dynamism of its lavish, high relief overlay, the juxtaposition of contrasting materials (gleaming, matte, and lustrous), and of contrasting forms (rigidly architectural and fluidly organic) - all work together to spark an immediate fascination in the beholder, and all are classic MONTEGRAPPA. On closer inspection, one cannot help but marvel at the intricacy of detail - the various textures of bark, leaves and skin, the movement of water, the tangle of flowing hair. The figures of the Goddess herself, and of her beloved hunter, Adonis, seem to be simultaneously contained by, and also transgressing, their alcove niches, so that they manage to evoke not only their status as mythological figures of classical art and statuary, but also the fleshly human realities they represent. The pure sterling silver overlay, echoing classic columnar patterns of antiquity, envelopes a durable ebonite barrel, and is decorated with a wealth of marine treasures. Inlaid with swirled, iridescent panels of pale mother-of-pearl, the APHRODITE is also graced with two genuine cultured pearls, among the sea's most coveted riches. But APHRODITE's beauty is far more than skin deep. With an intricately etched, flexible, 18K gold nib, tipped with hard iridium, and precision piston mechanics, it is the sort of high performance writing instrument - of the very finest quality - on which MONTEGRAPPA has built its international reputation.