Writing Instruments

Every pen we make is commissioned for one signature.

A name. An agreement. A moment worth marking.

We make writing instruments conceived around the person who will hold them and the occasion for which they are made. Each is designed individually, then brought to life by hand in vitreous enamel, precious metal, diamonds and gemstones.

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The Commissioned Pen

A subject of your own.

A place, a person, a journey, an idea.

A pen being designed

We begin with what matters to you, and design a pen around it. The artwork, materials and details are considered as a whole, until the finished piece is unmistakably yours.

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Finish
Hand-painted vitreous enamel
Materials
Precious metal, diamonds and gemstones
Made
To individual commission
Selected Commissions

Three subjects. Three singular pieces.

Each began with an idea that could not be expressed in quite the same way by any other object.

I
The King’s Coronation Pen

The King’s Coronation Pen

Made for the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, 2023.

A one-of-one writing instrument created for the signing at the Coronation.

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Commissioned for
The Coronation, 2023
II
The London Pen

The London Pen

The Thames, around the barrel.

A continuous panorama in enamel, tracing the river from Battersea Power Station to Big Ben.

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Subject
London and its landmarks
III
The Silk Road Pen

The Silk Road Pen

A route between two worlds.

The historic route between Palmyra and Xi’an, rendered in enamel, with both cities named in Chinese and English. Commissioned to mark a company’s journey from Greater Syria to China.

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Subject
The Silk Road

Every commission begins with a subject, not a standard design.

Tell us what you have in mind. We will draw the pen around it.

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Stories

The stories behind the pens.

Some commissions mark a moment in history. Others preserve a place, a journey or an idea. Each begins with a reason to make something that could not simply be bought.

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2023

The pen that was made in a week

Just one week before the coronation, Cleave received a call from the palace to create a pen for His Majesty King Charles III.

 Writing Instruments

The pen with the Thames running round the barrel

Six landmarks run round the barrel in enamel, from Battersea Power Station to Big Ben. The pen was used to commemorate the sale of the Ritz London.

 Writing Instruments

The Silk Road Pen, one of three ever made

A pen carrying the road between Palmyra and Xi’an, hand-painted in vitreous enamel, commissioned to mark a company’s journey from Greater Syria to China.
The Commission

From first conversation to finished piece.

I

Private consultation

We begin with a conversation about the subject, the occasion and the person for whom the pen is intended. Appointments are held at 1 Buckingham Place, London, or arranged elsewhere by agreement.

II

The design

We develop the artwork and design specifically for your commission. The details are refined with you before making begins.

III

Made by hand

The design is brought to life by our craftspeople in the UK, using materials chosen for the piece and its intended character.

IV

Presented to you

Your finished pen is available for collection in London or delivery by arrangement.

One piece. Made once.

Begin a Commission

A pen made for a particular purpose.

Whether it marks an occasion, commemorates a place or carries a story of personal significance, the first step is a conversation.

Reserve a private appointment