Scott No: 3326-33
Serial number: 2003-26
Values in set: 8
Denomination: 7.40 yuan
Date of issue: 13th December 2003
Designer: Wang Xu
Size of stamps:
50*30 mm for Values 1,2,3,4 ;
30*50 mm for Values 5,6,7,8 ;
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition:
16 for Sheet I; 8 for Sheet II
Printing process: Photogravure-engraving
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This is a set of eight special stamps titled Bronzes of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, issued on December 13, 2003, with a total face value of 7.40 yuan, designed by Wang Xu and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using a combination of offset and intaglio (engraving) printing.

The Eastern Zhou period, comprising the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, was another peak in the development of Chinese bronze art. With social changes, bronzes were no longer used solely as ritual vessels; their practical functions increased, and casting techniques underwent significant innovation. The piece-mold and lost-wax methods were widely used, and decorative techniques such as inlay and line engraving became popular. Vessel forms became more dynamic and varied, and decorations became increasingly intricate and exquisite. Inscriptions on the vessels also recorded a wealth of pre-Qin historical information. This stamp set features eight representative Eastern Zhou bronze national treasures. It is the third bronze-themed stamp set, following those on Yin and Western Zhou bronzes, and showcases the brilliant achievements of Spring and Autumn and Warring States bronze casting techniques.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Square Pan with Turtle and Fish Patterns

This is a Spring and Autumn period bronze water vessel. It has a rectangular body decorated with turtle and fish patterns on the bottom, supported by four crouching beasts. The form is unique. The dense and lively patterns make it a fine example of Spring and Autumn bronze water vessels. The stamp presents the complete form of the square pan, with the crouching beasts supporting it and the body covered in aquatic motifs, highlighting the ingenuity of Spring and Autumn bronze decoration.

Qin Gong Gui

The Qin Gong Gui is a major Spring and Autumn period vessel from the State of Qin, a ritual food vessel. Its body is decorated with interlaced chi-dragon patterns and bears a long inscription recording the deeds of Qin ancestors, making it an important artifact for studying the history of the pre-Qin State of Qin. The vessel has a steady form, with outward-flaring handles, an antique and substantial shape, and powerful calligraphy in the inscription, bearing witness to the culture and strength of early Qin. The stamp shows the complete gui, with its ancient, mottled patina, simple and dignified.

Iron-Legged Ding of King Cuo of Zhongshan

A royal vessel of the Warring States period State of Zhongshan. The body is cast in bronze, while the legs are made of iron, making it a rare bronze-iron composite. The belly bears a long inscription recording the history of Zhongshan. The craftsmanship is exquisite. This large ding represents the advanced metal smelting level of northern vassal states during the Warring States period and bears witness to the civilization of the Xianyu Zhongshan state. The stamp presents the massive and substantial form of the ding, simple and grand.

Yi of Marquis Yi of Zeng

The yi is a pre-Qin water vessel used for washing hands. This yi of Marquis Yi of Zeng was unearthed from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng in Suizhou, Hubei. It has a beast-head spout and is decorated with exquisite patterns. It is an early Warring States period practical ritual vessel of the State of Zeng. The stamp shows the form of the yi, with the spout shaped like a beast's head and delicate patterns on the body, reflecting the refined style of Zeng bronze craftsmanship.

Divine Beast Zun

The Divine Beast Zun is a Warring States period bronze wine vessel shaped entirely as a divine beast, with its head raised and a vigorous posture, integrating animal form with vessel function. This type of zoomorphic bronze is a major feature of the Eastern Zhou, breaking away from the rigid forms of traditional ritual vessels. It is imaginative, vivid, and unusual, reflecting the superb modeling abilities of Warring States craftsmen. The stamp fully presents the beast standing with its head raised.

Phoenix-Pattern Zun

The Phoenix-Pattern Zun is a major Spring and Autumn period bronze vessel from the State of Wu. It has a wide mouth and a drooping belly, covered with magnificent phoenix patterns. Paired phoenixes turn their heads and spread their wings, with graceful and flowing lines. Using the phoenix as the main decorative motif is a characteristic of bronze culture in the Jiangnan region. The vessel is full-bodied with intricate and magnificent decorations, representing the unique style of bronze art in the Wu-Yue region. The stamp highlights the elegant phoenix patterns on the body.

Lotus and Crane Square Hu

A mid-Spring and Autumn period bronze ritual vessel and a national treasure. The lid features multiple layers of lotus petals, with a crane standing with spread wings at the center. The body has large dragon-shaped handles on both sides and is supported by crouching beasts at the base. It breaks away from the solemn and dignified style of Western Zhou bronzes, being dynamic and expansive, symbolizing the liberation of thought of the era. It is one of the most representative works of Eastern Zhou bronzes. The stamp fully presents this famous hu, with clear details of the lotus petals, crane, and dragon handles.

Dragon and Beast Loop-Handled He

The he is an ancient vessel for mixing and warming wine. This Warring States period dragon and beast loop-handled he features a handle shaped like a dragon and a beast, a spout shaped like a beast's head, and a body covered in patterns. The form is ingenious and unique. The vessel combines divine beast imagery with practical function, demonstrating clever design, and is a classic work of Warring States bronze wine vessels. The stamp shows the unique form of the handle and beast-head spout, with a substantial antique bronze texture.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set uses a combination of offset and intaglio printing. The engraved plate delicately depicts the mottled patina, intricate patterns, and outlines of the bronze vessels, while the offset printing provides a soft light gray background that does not distract from the main subjects. The eight stamps are arranged by vessel category, including water vessels, food vessels, and wine vessels, covering artifacts unearthed from different regions such as the Central Plains, Qin, Wu-Yue, Zhongshan, and Zeng, showcasing the regional differences in Eastern Zhou bronze styles. The designs feature full-body images of the vessels against simple, elegant backgrounds, faithfully reproducing the original appearance of these national treasures and condensing the colorful and splendid bronze civilization of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods into the stamps.