One of the most important works in Western poetry is “The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri, from the early 14th century. It describes his journey through the three realms of the afterlife, according to Catholic Christianity: Hell (Inferno), Purgatory (Purgatorio), where souls are purified of their sins, and Paradise (Paradiso).
The Italian brand Montegrappa has masterfully expressed this immortal work in a writing instrument collection bearing its name, comprising three series: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso, which we focus on here. Colorful gemstones and miniature figures symbolize the nine celestial spheres Dante traversed on his way to the eternal light—from the moon, through Mars and Jupiter, up to the eighth sphere, the fixed stars. Above this, on the pen’s cap, angels are sculpted as the ninth sphere, intertwined in a nine-tiered mesh against the azure sky, crowned by three graduated gold discs representing the Holy Trinity of the Christian world.
The series includes two types of writing instruments: a fountain pen with an 18-karat gold nib engraved with Dante’s image, and a rollerball pen. Each type is limited to 333 pieces in sterling silver and nine pieces in 18-karat gold. The prices for the sterling silver pens are: fountain pen – €6,595, rollerball – €5,995.
