Damascene Art

The art of damascening is thousands of years old. It involves decorating steel or iron objects by first engraving a pattern into the surface. A thin layer of gold foil is then placed over it and deeply impressed with a small hammer. To make the filled pattern visually stand out, the piece is heated to around 800°C in the final step. This causes the steel surfaces to oxidize and turn black, while the gold shines brightly. This technique was brought to Spain by Arabs and was perfected over the centuries, particularly in the Spanish city of Toledo. In 1931, Pelikan adopted the damascening technique for the Toledo model with such success that the design remains nearly unchanged to this day.

Handcrafted Unique Pieces

The decorative body is now made from a single piece of sterling silver and is then treated multiple times before the motif is covered with a layer of gold. Each Toledo writing instrument is a unique piece made in Germany, as the motif features hand-punched details that particularly bring the pelican's plumage to life. The cap and the front and end pieces are made from black resin. The 18-carat gold nib is partially rhodium-plated and is available in nib widths EF, F, M, and B. The Toledo M700 comes in a high-quality gift case with a certificate and booklet. The EF nib provides an extra-fine writing experience and is especially suitable for handwriting with small flourishes.