Scott No: 3271-2
Serial number: 2003-6
Values in set: 2
Denomination: 1.60 yuan
Date of issue: 15th Apr. 2003
Designer: Yin Huili, Zhen Mingshu and Hilder (Iran)
Size of S/S stamp: 40*30 mm
Perforation: 13*13.5
Sheet composition:
20 fotr Sheet I; 8 for Sheet II
Printing process: photogravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This is a set of two special stamps titled Bell Tower and Mosque, issued on April 15, 2003, with a total face value of 2.80 yuan, designed by Huang Li and Guo Chenghui, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. This is a joint stamp issue between China and Iran.

The bell tower and the mosque represent the classic ancient architecture of China and Iran, respectively. The Xi'an Bell Tower is an iconic pavilion-style building of ancient Chinese cities, embodying the construction techniques of traditional Chinese wooden architecture. The Imam Mosque in Isfahan, Iran, is an outstanding representative of Islamic architectural art. Both China and Iran are ancient civilizations with long and splendid histories and cultures. This joint stamp issue features iconic ancient buildings from both countries, building a bridge for cultural exchange, showcasing the unique architectural aesthetics of two different civilizations, and promoting mutual learning between Chinese and Iranian cultures.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Xi'an Bell Tower

The Xi'an Bell Tower is located in the center of the old city of Xi'an, Shaanxi, and was first built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty. It is the largest and best-preserved Ming Dynasty bell tower in China. The structure is a brick-and-wood, double-eaved pavilion-style building. Its base is a massive square brick and stone platform, with a multi-story wooden pavilion above, topped with dark green glazed tiles and upturned eaves, creating a grand and dignified appearance. In ancient times, it was used to strike the bell to announce the time, serving as the timekeeping landmark of the ancient city. After centuries of weathering, it has become a symbol of the ancient city of Xi'an, carrying the profound history and culture of the ancient capital.

Imam Mosque in Isfahan

The Imam Mosque is located on the south side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, Iran. It was first built during the Safavid Dynasty and is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. The building features a dome structure, with walls covered in exquisite and intricate mosaic faience tiles, extensively decorated with geometric patterns and Arabic calligraphy. The massive blue dome of the main hall is magnificent. The layout, form, and decoration of the building fully embody the characteristics of Islamic architectural art, making it a model of ancient Iranian architecture and decorative art.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set uses a symmetrical compositional approach, with each stamp presenting a representative ancient building from each country. The compositions are balanced and steady. The photogravure printing is delicate, fully expressing the substantial texture of the glazed tiles on the Chinese building and the rich, colorful layers of the mosaic faience tiles on the Islamic building. The designs minimize extraneous background elements, highlighting the architectural subjects and directly presenting the two distinct ancient architectural styles of the East and West. This reflects the charm of different civilizations and aligns with the cultural exchange theme of joint stamp issues between China and other countries.