Since Napoleon Bonaparte's scientific expedition which led to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, we have been obsessed and fascinated with Ancient Egypt and her gods. The great pyramids, extremely wealthy and powerful Pharaohs and their queens, mysterious gods and piles of gold - all add to the mystique of the ancient civilization. 

Then there was Howard Carter's discovery, in 1922, of the intact tomb of King Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings that finally implanted Ancient Egypt in our imagination. There are numerous references to be found everywhere - in movies, music and architecture. The ancient Egyptian's practice of deliberate mummification led to the 1932 horror classic, The Mummy and its subsequent franchises. The Bangles walked like an Egyptian and Steve Martin and the Toot Uncommons released the novelty song King Tut in 1978 as a tribute to the boy king. The Luxor Hotel and Casino is a notable example in architecture. There are numerous references, in one form or another, all around us. 

Now Montegrappa, well-known for their luxury brands have added the Thoth pen collection to their Ancient Civilization series. Montegrappa is the oldest Italian manufacturer of fine writing instruments and through the years they have added other luxury items to the line. Thoth is the ancient Egyptian god of scribes and writing,

From Montegrappa's press release:

"Thoth – God of Scribes and God of Knowledge

Joining Montegrappa’s Ancient Civilisations series, the Thoth Collection of writing instruments enjoys a special presence, for Thoth was the Egyptian deity who, among many other roles, to whom is ascribed the invention of the alphabet and writing. There can be no more appropriate a figure to honour with a family of fine pens.

As the scribe of the gods, Thoth is credited with the invention of writing and of alphabets, notably the hieroglyphs that have survived and informed the world of ancient Egypt’s accomplishments. The ancient Egyptians regarded Thoth as the master of both physical and moral law. He is also credited with making the calculations for the establishment of the heavens, the movement of the stars, Earth and everything in them.

With Egyptian lore determining that Thoth was the inventor of writing, as well as the scribe of the underworld, Thoth was universally worshipped by ancient Egyptian scribes. As many Christians kept icons of Jesus or of saints, so did many of these artisans in Egypt place a painting or a picture of Thoth in their workplace. The ibis, associated with Thoth, became one of the symbols for craft.

The Thoth Collection

Housed in a miniature representation of the Pyramid of Cheops, the Thoth writing instruments are imbued with the design language of ancient Egypt. Even the pen’s shape, though as slim as a pen needs be, possesses curves recalling a mummy’s sarcophagus, the decoration emphasising the likeness.

So, too, do the patterns tell a story, the burnished laser-cut engravings combining top recreate the atmosphere of highly-adorned walls in an Egyptian throne room. Realised in Charcoal Black celluloid, with contrasting elements in either and Sterling Silver or 18k Gold trim, the Thoth pen bears his head on the top of the cap, segueing into a pocket clip in the form of a die-cast ibis. Hieroglyphics encircle the bottom of the cap, while copper accents inspired by period Egyptian clothing also feature.

On the bottom of the barrel is the symbol of Thoth, a stylised ibis, while the barrel is engraved with the hieroglyphic inscriptions of the Thoth’s emerald tablet. Thoth’s ibis symbol also appears on the piston-fed, 18k gold fountain pen nib.

Issued as both fountain and rollerball, the Thoth Collection is limited to 365 Fountain pens in Sterling Silver and 365 Rollerball pens in Sterling Silver to represent Thoth’s creation of the calendar, with 5 Fountain pens in Solid 18K Gold and 5 Rollerball pens in Solid 18K Gold to recall the five days he won from the Moon. "

These pens are beautiful beyond belief and will be released soon. to add the mystery, Montegrappa hasn't told us the release date as a result, we don't know the price of each model.