Scott No: 3526-9
Serial number: 2006-23
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: September 10, 2006
Denomination: 320 fen
Designer: Wang Huming
Size of stamps: 30*50 mm
Perforation: 12*12.5
Sheet composition: 16
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

This stamp set was issued on September 10, 2006. It consists of four stamps with a total face value of 3.20 yuan, designed by Wang Huming, with Chen Jing serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using offset printing.

The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are collectively known as the "Four Treasures of the Study." They are unique traditional Chinese writing and painting tools that have been refined over thousands of years, giving rise to the distinctive Eastern aesthetics of calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting. They are important carriers of Chinese literati culture. This stamp set features classic ancient study tools, presenting the beauty of form and craftsmanship of these four treasures. A silk miniature sheet was also issued to enrich the collectible formats and preserve the elegant cultural heritage of the study.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Brush

The stamp features four ancient brushes of different shapes and sizes, with a variety of handles—vermillion with gold, plain bamboo, and carved rosewood. The brush tips are made of different animal hairs, such as wolf and goat hair, which can produce lines of varying thickness. The brush has been the primary tool for calligraphy and painting for centuries, capable of creating both tiny characters and large-scale works.

Ink

The main subject is an intricately carved ink stick, accompanied by round colored ink cakes in a red lacquer box. Ancient ink was made from pine soot or tung oil soot mixed with glue, then pounded and molded before drying. When ground, the ink produces a rich, lustrous black that does not fade over time. Huizhou ink has been famous throughout history and is an essential item for scholars.

Paper

The stamp features a roll of ancient Xuan paper, along with bound volumes and thread-bound books. Made from the bark of the wingceltis tree, Xuan paper is durable, soft, and white, with just the right absorbency for calligraphy and painting. It allows for rich ink expression and is resistant to aging, earning it the reputation of "lasting a thousand years."

Inkstone

The stamp features two ancient inkstones, one naturally shaped and one square and solid. Carved from fine stone, the inkstone is smooth and durable, used for grinding ink with water. Over time, the surface becomes even smoother, and a good inkstone can be passed down through generations, making it a lasting and practical study tool.

Artistic and Design Features

The four stamps share a uniform vertical format, with an antique Xuan paper background. The objects are depicted in realistic detail, with seal-script inscriptions on the left side, evoking a sense of classical elegance. The offset printing provides soft and warm tones, accurately capturing the textures of wood, stone, and lacquer. The overall design is simple, elegant, and scholarly, with the silk miniature sheet enhancing the collectible value of the set.

This stamp set is a special issue on traditional study tools and intangible cultural heritage, featuring a special silk format, suitable for thematic collections on calligraphy, painting, and traditional Chinese culture.