Scott No: 3085-90
Serial number: 2001-3
Values in set: 6
Denomination: 6.80 yuan
Date of issue: 15 February 2001
Designer: Li Qingfa and Jiang Weijie
Size: 30*40 mm
Perforation: 12*11.5
Sheet composition: 20
Printing process: gravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This stamp set was issued on February 15, 2001. It is a special stamp set consisting of six stamps with a total face value of 6.80 yuan. The designers are Jiang Weijie and Li Qingfa. It was printed using photogravure by Beijing Stamp Printing Works. The perforation gauge is 12×11.5 degrees, and each stamp measures 30×40 mm.

This stamp set belongs to the Peking opera role series. It features classic stage characters from the Chou (clown) role, including both civil and martial clowns. By portraying characters of different identities and personalities, it showcases the artistic charm of this unique role category, known as "little painted faces," and promotes the art of Peking opera.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Tang Qin

From the Peking opera Shen Tou Ci Tang, Tang Qin belongs to the robe-and-belt clown category of civil clowns. Originally a mounter, Tang Qin was promoted by Mo Huaigu but repaid kindness with treachery, informing on Mo to Yan Shifan and scheming to obtain the Mo family treasure, "A Handful of Snow." In the stamp, Tang Qin wears official robes and holds a folding fan. His face features the signature white patch of the clown role, with raised eyebrows and a frivolous, arrogant expression, vividly portraying a petty man enjoying his temporary success and his sinister, cunning nature. This play is a classic example of a joint performance by the laosheng, dan, and clown roles. Tang Qin is a highly representative villain in the robe-and-belt clown category.

Liu Lihua

From the Peking opera At the Crossroads, Liu Lihua belongs to the martial clown category. The story tells of Jiao Zan, who lodges at an inn while being escorted into exile. The innkeeper Liu Lihua and his wife intend to rescue him. Ren Tanghui secretly protects Jiao Zan and sneaks into the inn at night. In the darkness, the two do not recognize each other and engage in a blind fight in the room. The stamp captures the moment of confrontation in the dark. Liu Lihua is dressed in light martial attire, holding a short knife, with his body arched and his eyes alert, moving with agility. Martial clowns emphasize crisp recitation and agile movements. This role fully demonstrates the martial clown's acrobatic skills and spectacular tumbling.

Gao Lishi

From the Peking opera The Drunken Concubine, Gao Lishi belongs to the eunuch clown category of civil clowns. Gao Lishi is a close attendant eunuch of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. In the scene where Yang Guifei holds a banquet at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, waiting in vain for the emperor and drinking alone, he navigates the situation, carefully observing and serving the concubine. In the stamp, the character wears court eunuch attire, with a slightly bowed posture and a respectful yet somewhat slick expression. Although the role is a clown, it is not primarily about ugliness but focuses on showing the cautious and meticulous state of a palace attendant. It is a highly representative court role in the civil clown category.

Jiang Gan

From the Peking opera The Gathering of Heroes, Jiang Gan belongs to the square-scarf clown category of civil clowns. On the eve of the Battle of Red Cliffs, Jiang Gan volunteers to cross the river to persuade Zhou Yu to surrender. Zhou Yu sets up a counterespionage scheme, forging a letter for Jiang Gan to steal, causing Cao Cao to mistakenly execute Cai Mao and Zhang Yun. In the stamp, Jiang Gan wears a square scarf and a long gown, with a smug and self-satisfied expression. He vividly portrays a man who appears talented but is actually pedantic and foolish. The square-scarf clown often plays scholars and strategists. Jiang Gan is the most well-known classic figure in this category.

Yang Xiangwu

From the Peking opera Three Thefts of the Nine-Dragon Cup, Yang Xiangwu belongs to the martial clown category. Yang Xiangwu is a hero of the greenwood, highly skilled in martial arts and adept at roof-running and wall-climbing. The Nine-Dragon Jade Cup of Emperor Kangxi was obtained by Huang Santai but later stolen. Yang Xiangwu enters the imperial palace at night to steal the cup. The stamp portrays him in a posture of lurking and sneaking, dressed in light martial attire, with a nimble figure and an alert expression. Martial clown performances emphasize body movements, light-footed skills, and stage steps. This role fully displays the martial clown's wit, humor, and exceptional skills.

Shi Qian

From the Peking opera Shi Qian Steals the Armor, Shi Qian belongs to the martial clown category. The story comes from Water Margin. Huyan Zhuo defeats Liangshan with his chain-linked cavalry. Tang Long proposes a plan requiring Xu Ning's hooked lance to break the formation. Shi Qian is ordered to sneak into Xu Ning's home to steal his ancestral treasure armor, thereby luring Xu Ning to Liangshan. In the stamp, Shi Qian has a light posture, tiptoeing and sneaking, with agile movements. As a Liangshan hero, Shi Qian is witty and humorous, skilled in theft and stealth. He is the most famous positive character in the Peking opera martial clown category.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set uses a gongbi (meticulous brushwork) and rich-color painting style. It fully presents the full-body stage appearances of the characters, preserving the signature white patch makeup on the bridge of the nose for Peking opera clowns. Each stamp features a red seal in the lower right corner with the character's name. The colors are rich and magnificent, accurately reproducing the details of costumes, headpieces, and props. The stamps feature representative figures from both civil and martial clown categories, comprehensively displaying the artistic charm of the Chou role. It is an important set in the Peking opera role series.