Pens, generally dip pens, consisting of a shaft or holder and a metal or glass pen point, often interchangeable with any in a set of specially shaped pen points, ranging in size and shape from broad and flat to narrow and pointed. These pens are used in calligraphy, lettering, and drawing. Similar devices with metal pen points were known in Classical times but were used much less than the reed and quill prior to the 19th century. An ancient example is a bronze pen that was found in the ruins of Pompeii.
