Visconti Homo Sapiens Lava 14K Gold Fountain Pen - Dark Age

Few pens have a story quite like this one. The Visconti Homo Sapiens Lava Fountain Pen in Dark Age is made from basaltic lava from Mount Etna, blended with resin and finished entirely in black, with a ruthenium-finished 14K gold nib. It is dark, tactile and quietly dramatic, a pen that feels as though it was born from the earth itself.

Key highlights

• Material: basaltic lava from Mount Etna blended with resin
• Feel: leather-like texture that is slightly hygroscopic, so it absorbs a little moisture from your hand
• Nib: Visconti 14K gold nib with ruthenium finish, EF, F, M or B
• Filling: Visconti Power Filler (vacuum), about 1.51ml of ink
• Closure: Hook Safe Lock bayonet cap
• Look: all-black Dark Age edition with glossy black trim
• Origin: designed and made by Visconti in Florence, Italy

What is the Homo Sapiens?

Visconti, founded in Florence in 1988, created the Homo Sapiens as a celebration of one of the oldest materials on earth. Volcanic lava from Mount Etna is ground and blended with resin, then turned and polished into a body with a warm, slightly matte, almost leather-like feel. Because lava pieces can only be produced in short lengths, every Homo Sapiens is a small feat of craftsmanship.

The Dark Age edition

Where the classic Bronze Age pairs lava with bronze-coloured fittings, the Dark Age goes fully black: black trim, a black lava body and a nib finished in dark ruthenium. The result is serious, modern and strikingly elegant, a favourite with collectors who love monochrome pens.

Writing with a 14K gold nib

The current Dark Age uses Visconti's own 14K gold nib with a ruthenium finish. Gold gives the nib a gentle softness and a smooth, cushioned feel on the page. Choose Extra Fine or Fine for small handwriting and daily notes, Medium for an all-round writer, or Broad to show off ink colour and shading.

The Power Filler

Instead of cartridges, the Homo Sapiens uses Visconti's vacuum Power Filler. Unscrew the end knob, pull the plunger, dip the nib in your ink bottle and push down: the pen fills with up to about 1.51ml of ink in one stroke. It is satisfying to use and holds plenty of ink for long writing sessions.

Hook Safe Lock

Visconti's signature bayonet closure locks the cap with a short twist, protecting the nib and keeping the pen secure in a pocket or pen case.

Frequently asked questions

Is the lava real?

Yes. The body contains genuine basaltic lava from Mount Etna, blended with resin.

How heavy is it?

About 48g in total (body about 27g, cap about 21g), a substantial, balanced pen.

Which inks work best?

Any good-quality bottled fountain pen ink. Dark blues, blacks and blue-blacks look especially elegant with the Dark Age.

Visconti Homo Sapiens Lava Dark Age Fountain Pen: specifications

• Brand: Visconti, Florence, Italy
• Collection: Homo Sapiens
• Edition: Dark Age
• Body: basaltic lava from Mount Etna and resin
• Trim: glossy black
• Nib: 14K gold, ruthenium finish
• Nib sizes: EF, F, M, B
• Filling: Power Filler (vacuum), approx. 1.51ml
• Cap: Hook Safe Lock, postable
• Length: 146mm closed, 173.4mm posted
• Diameter: 14.3mm body
• Weight: approx. 48g (body 27g, cap 21g)
• Warranty: as per Visconti international warranty

Why Makoba is the right place to buy

• Brand leader: If you are looking for Visconti in India, Makoba is the largest seller of the brand
• 90+ brands: A curated line-up of more than 90 international brands
• Trusted by collectors: Join over 50,000 pen collectors in India and across the globe
• Delivered worldwide: We have delivered over 50,000 pens across the globe
• Packed with care: We pack each order with the care a fine writing instrument deserves
• Everything for writing: Pair your pen with fountain pen inks, notebooks and pen stands from Makoba
• World's No.1 pen store: Shop at the world's No.1 pen store for collectors and everyday writers alike
• Largest pen store: As India's largest pen store, Makoba brings the world's finest writing instruments together in one place