Who still knows about quill pens and writing utensils today? While social messenger services like WhatsApp determine writing in the present, these writing tools formed an unbeatable duo from the 16th to the 20th century.

The term "writing implements" refers to the mostly box-shaped containers that, in addition to the goose quill pen, also contain vessels for ink and sprinkling sand for drying the ink. In the presentation "With a Sharp Quill. Writing Implements and Writing in the Course of Time" at the Hessian State Museum, a selection of artistically crafted writing implements from the collection of Wilhelm Schmidt and Heinrich Kunze is on display. More than 30 pieces provide insight into the 400-year history of using these useful tools in writing culture.

Writing tools surprise with their variety. As commissioned works with individual shaping and color design, they have expressed the prestige of their owners since the Renaissance. Adorned with elaborately crafted figures, these luxurious cases reflected the writing power of the high nobility. With the beginning of the Enlightenment, the emerging bourgeoisie used them to express their own worldview, taste preferences, and contemporary understanding of writing.

The presentation invites you to discover writing tools as a central part of the cultural history of writing. This includes the early modern art of feather writing as well as the production of ink and the making of handmade paper. Follow the evolution of writing media from antiquity to the present day.I'm sorry, but you haven't provided any text to translate. Please provide the text you would like me to translate into English.