Scott No: 1833-1837
Serial number: T81
Values in set: 3
Date of issue: January 20, 1983
Denomination: 100 fen
Designers: Deng Xiqing
Size of stamps:
40*30mm for Value 3;
30*40mm for Value 1,2,4,5
Perforation:
11*11.5 for Value 3;
11.5*11 for Value 1,2,4,5
Sheet composition:
50 (5*10) for Value 3;
50 (10*5) for Value 1,2,4,5
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

T81 "Ethnic Musical Instruments — Plucked String Instruments" special stamps were issued on January 20, 1983. The set consists of 5 stamps, printed by photogravure, designed by Deng Xiqing, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory.

Theme of the Set

This set selects five traditional Chinese plucked string instruments with long histories and highly representative forms. It presents the unique formal beauty of ethnic musical instruments and their long musical culture, letting the public feel the charm of traditional Chinese music. It is the opening work of the ethnic musical instruments stamp series.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Konghou

The main subject of the design is a vertical konghou, tall and slender in form. The konghou was introduced into the Central Plains from ancient times; its timbre is clear and ethereal, and it was widely used in Han and Tang music and dance. It is an ancient instrument that frequently appears in classical poetry. The background outlines in light lines the silhouette of a playing court lady.

Ruan

The main subject of the design is the ruan, with a round sound box and a slender neck. The ruan originated in the Wei and Jin periods; its timbre is deep and mellow, and it has been passed down to the present day. It is a plucked instrument with a long history.

Qin

The main subject of the design is the guqin, also known as the seven-stringed zither. The guqin is the classic instrument of literati and scholars and carries a profound literati culture. It ranks first among the ancient "qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting" and has a refined and elegant tone.

Pipa

The main subject of the design is the curved-neck pipa, with a pear-shaped body. It is an instrument brought in along the ancient Silk Road and localized; it has rich expressiveness and can perform both impassioned and gentle melodies, and is very common in classical opera and song-and-dance accompaniment.

Sanxian

The main subject of the design is the sanxian, with a long neck and no frets. Its timbre is sonorous and plain, and it is widely used in shuochang and quyi accompaniment. It is a plucked instrument with extremely wide circulation among the people.

Artistic Design Features

The instruments themselves are set off against elegant background colors, and each stamp's background is paired with the flowing line-drawing silhouette of a playing court lady, with solid and void echoing each other. The instruments are depicted neatly and delicately, with clean lines—one instrument, one scene—with a rich classical Chinese flavor. The five instruments each have their own characteristics, covering instruments used in both court elegant music and folk quyi. It is a classic work among stamps on the theme of Chinese music.