PELIKAN M-900 fountain pen, Toledo.

PELIKAN M-900 fountain pen, Toledo.
Black resin barrel. Details and ornamentation in gold.
Two-tone 18k gold nib. M tip.
Screw cap. Plunger loading.
No box. Unused. Good state of preservation.
Measurements: 14 cm (length).

The art of damascene is an ancient craft that has been done since ancient times in civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, Rome, Japan and China. It consists basically in the realization of ornamental motifs by inlaying gold threads or sheets in iron or steel objects using a small hammer. Once the pattern is made, the piece is heated to about 800ºC so that it is perfectly visible. In doing so, the steel surfaces oxidize and blacken, while the gold shines. This technique, which has been perfected over the centuries, was introduced by the Arabs in Spain, where the imperial city of Toledo became an important center of reference that still has an important industry of damascene products.

In 1931, the German brand Pelikan adopted this technique in the production of the 111T fountain pen, the first model of the Toledo collection, and such was its acceptance that the original design has remained practically unchanged to the present day.

Nowadays, the ornamental band is placed on a solid sterling silver sleeve that is carefully worked in successive steps until it is finally coated with 24-carat gold. It is a laborious process, entirely handmade and individually made, which concludes with the signing and numbering of the piece, which thus becomes a unique and exclusive work.