Special 95 Famous Chinese Paintings on Folding Fans Postage Stamps (Issue of 1973) (D095)

Stamp SN : D095
Stamp Name : Special 95 Famous Chinese Paintings on Folding Fans Postage Stamps (Issue of 1973)
Stamp Cat Standard : Special Stamps
Stamp Cat : Calligraphy & Paintings
Issue date : 1973-08-15
Dimension of stamps(mm.) : 48.4x33.6
Printer : Joh.Enscheden Zonen, Holland
Sheet composition : 4×5
Process : Photogravure
Paper : Photogravure stamp paper
Perforation : 12 1/2 x 13
Photographer : Liu Pao-chin

This is the first time to use paintings on fans as the central design on stamps issued by this Diectorate. Four fan pictures, painted by the artists of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.), were selected from the National Palace Museum collection. Each reveals the characteristics of the fan picture. The folding fan belongs to the family of Chinese arts and has been very popular in Chinese society. The folding fan made its debut during the Northern Sung dynasty (960-1126 A.D.). It was not until the Ming dynasty that this kind of fan enjoyed great popularity. However, folding fans were most exquisite and reached their zenith during the Hsuan Te and Hung Chih periods (1426-1488 A.D.)of the Ming dynasty. Further more, the writers and painters in that generation were fond of writing or painting on fans.Shen Chou, Wen Cheng-min, Tang Ying and Chiu Ying, the four great masters of the Ming dynasty, all excelled in fan painting. Thus, the folding fan has become an indispensable ornament of the scholar. Indeed, its art value exceeds its usefulness. The sheet composed of 20 stamps. At the top of the whole sheet, six Chinese characters 〝扇面古畫郵票〞 meaning 〝Ancient Chinese Paintings on Fans〞 are printed.