Montegrappa Ancient Mexican Civilizations Silver Limited Edition Rollerball ISCMNRSE, 2012

It is believed the great Mexican cultures were so advanced that they created indigenous writing systems before the Europeans. This, in part, has inspired Montegrappa to honor the civilizations of Mexico, of which the five greatest were Olmec, the Maya, the Teotihuacan, the Toltec and the Aztec. This year, however, has drawn the world's attention to one in particular, thanks to its advanced knowledge of solar and lunar behavior.

While a number of historic calendars have enjoyed the attention of scholars, the Mayan method of charting time has inspired controversy of late because it is believed to predict the end of the world on 21 December 2012. For some, 21 December 2012 is the date of concern, as it presents the ideal notation of 12/12/12, which appeals to numerologists. Certainly, either is a contentious - and for many alarming - prophecy, but they have called attention to a fascinating method from the past for charting events into the distant future.

The Mayans used a system of calendars, as employed in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, with some communities in Guatemala and Mexico still retaining its use. Its origins date back to at least the 5th century BCE, exhibiting similarities with calendars employed by other earlier civilizations in the region, such as the Zapotec and Olmec, as well as those which followed, such as the Mixtec and Aztec calendars.

While the Mayans can't lay claim to having devised the calendar system in its entirety, their advanced culture enabled them to develop refinements that increased its sophistication. Thanks to the survival of so many artifacts, and lingering traces of Mayan culture their calendar system is one of the best documented and understood of the ancient calendars of the Americas.

This Montegrappa pen is a writing instrument realized through the skills of Northern Italy's finest craftspersons. Decorating every surface of the pens are the engraved images of Mexican gods and glyphs, including the Aztec Sun God, with patterns reminiscent of distinctive Mayan architecture. The pen clip is fashioned after the sacrificial sword used by the Mayan priests to dispatch their offerings to the gods.

Handmade Mayan Calendar Pens - Lost Wax Cast

Montegrappa honors early civilizations of America for their contribution to the creation of indigenous writing systems with an exclusive collection of luxury pens realized by 'lost wax casting' and handmade in bronze, sterling silver, and 18kt solid gold.