Scott No: 2189-92
Serial number: R24
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: August 10, 1988
Denomination: 3700 fen
Designer: Qun Feng
Engraver: Li Qingfa, Hu Zhengyuan, Yan Binwu, Jiang Weijie
Size of stamps: 30*40mm
Perforation: 11.5*11
Sheet composition: 50(10*5)
Printing process: Engraving and photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

R24 "Chinese Grotto Art" ordinary stamps, a set of 4, printed by photogravure combined with engraving, stamp size 30 × 40 mm, perforation gauge 11.5 × 11, 50 stamps per sheet (10 × 5). Designed by Qun Feng, engraved by Yan Bingwu, Li Qingfa, Jiang Weijie, and Hu Zhenyuan, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory. The stamps were issued at different times: 2 yuan on November 30, 1988; 5 yuan on October 15, 1988; 10 yuan on October 15, 1988; and 20 yuan on October 20, 1988.

Theme of the Set

This is a set of high-denomination ordinary stamps, mainly used for international letter postage. It selects representative grotto statues from Yungang, Longmen, Maijishan, and Dazu, spanning four eras—Northern Wei, Tang, Western Wei, and Song—presenting the evolutionary thread of Chinese grotto statuary art from the vigorous and massive to the plump and full, and then to the refined and secularized. It presents the aesthetic changes in grotto sculpture across different periods and, through the medium of ordinary stamps, carries the treasures of Chinese stone-carving art.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Yungang Grottoes · Northern Wei · Great Buddha (2 yuan)

The image shows the Northern Wei Great Buddha of the Yungang Grottoes. Majestic and weighty in form, with a rounded face and tremendous momentum, it is a representative of the vigorous style of Northern Dynasties grottoes and embodies the artistic characteristics of early Buddhist statuary integrating Chinese and Western elements.

Longmen Grottoes · Tang · Guardian Warrior (5 yuan)

The image shows a Tang dynasty guardian warrior of the Longmen Grottoes. With powerful muscles, a fierce posture, and full tension, Tang statuary is vigorous and full, and the guardian warrior image manifests the robust and unrestrained temperament of High Tang sculpture.

Maijishan Grottoes · Western Wei · Bodhisattva (10 yuan)

The image shows a Western Wei bodhisattva of the Maijishan Grottoes. With a slender, refined face and a tall, gentle figure, it is a typical example of the "elegant bones and pure image" style. Maijishan is known for its clay sculpture, and this bodhisattva reflects the influence of Southern Dynasties aesthetics on northern grottoes.

Dazu Rock Carvings · Song · Woman Raising Chickens (20 yuan)

The image shows a Song dynasty woman raising chickens from the Dazu rock carvings. The subject is close to secular life and is no longer a purely sacred Buddhist image, embodying the tendency of Song dynasty grottoes toward secularization and everyday life. It is the most humanized classic statue of the Dazu rock carvings.

Artistic Design Features

The set uses photogravure combined with engraving; the engraved lines are fine and solid, accurately reproducing the texture of stone carvings and clay sculpture. The images are concise, without superfluous background, highlighting the statues themselves, with plain and quiet tones. The four statues differ distinctly in style, linking together the developmental thread of grotto art. The engraving is superb, making it a fine engraved work among ordinary stamps.