Scott No: 3074-77
Serial number: 2000-25
Values in set: 4
Denomination: 5.20 yuan
Date of issue: 31st December 2000
Designer: Huang Li and Guo Chenghui
Size of stamps: 30*40mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 40
Printing process: gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

The special stamp set Ancient Chinese Bells was issued on December 31, 2000. It consists of four stamps with a total face value of 5.20 yuan. It was designed by Huang Li and Guo Chenghui and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. This stamp set was issued on the closing day of the century. It features representative ancient bell artifacts from four eras—the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn, Tang, and Qing dynasties—linking the development of Chinese ancient bells over thousands of years and sounding the bell of the era at the turn of the century.

The bell is an important ritual vessel and musical instrument in ancient China, serving multiple functions such as sacrifice, court assemblies, timekeeping, and education, and carrying ritual and music civilization. The stamp set selects four bronze ancient bell treasures in chronological order, from pre-Qin ritual and music masterpieces to later large timekeeping bells. It showcases the evolution of bell forms, casting techniques, and the cultural connotations of ritual and music, presenting the brilliant achievements of ancient Chinese metallurgy and ritual and music civilization through national treasure artifacts.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Western Zhou – Jingshu Bell

The main image is the Jingshu Bell of the Western Zhou Dynasty. The bell body is covered with exquisite decorations and has orderly studs. This bell is one of the bronze chime bells of the Western Zhou period and belongs to ritual and music masterpieces. It was used in aristocratic ceremonial and banquet activities, reflecting the Western Zhou ritual and music system and representing early bronze bell casting techniques.

Spring and Autumn – Suming Bo

The stamp presents the Suming Bo of the Spring and Autumn period. The vessel is majestic and dignified, with intricate and magnificent decorations on the body. The bo is a large percussion instrument, often used together with chime bells. The inscription on this artifact records related history. It is an important physical relic of bronze smelting and casting and ritual and music culture during the Spring and Autumn period.

Tang – Jingyun Bell

The stamp features the Jingyun Bell of the Tang Dynasty, cast in the second year of the Jingyun era of Tang. It was originally placed in Jinglong Temple in Chang'an. The bell body bears Tang Dynasty inscriptions. It is a famous surviving Tang bell in China and was once used for timekeeping at the Chang'an Bell Tower. Its deep and distant sound bears witness to the culture of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

Qing – Qianlong Bell

The stamp displays the Qianlong Bell of the Qing Dynasty. The bell body is massive, with intricate and exquisite decorations. Cast during the Qianlong period, it is a large ceremonial bell of the imperial court. It integrates Qing Dynasty casting and carving techniques, making it a comprehensive masterpiece of ancient bell craftsmanship.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set uses actual artifacts as prototypes. The background uses a simple, elegant vertical stripe pattern, simple and grand, highlighting the bells themselves and faithfully reproducing the mottled, antique texture of ancient bronze bells. The photogravure printing provides delicate layers, accurately expressing the decorations, patina colors, and three-dimensional outlines of the artifacts. The four ancient bells are arranged in chronological order, fully presenting the evolution of bell forms from the pre-Qin period to the Qing Dynasty. It is an outstanding work in the category of ancient bronze artifact stamps.