Scott No: 3293-6
Serial number: 2003-15
Values in set: 4
Denomination: 4.40 yuan
Date of issue: 16th August 2003
Designer: Ling Lianwei
Size of stamps: 27*40 mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition:
24 for Sheet I
8 for Sheet II
Printing process: Photogravure
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This is a set of four special stamps titled Painted Sculptures of the Jin Ancestral Temple, issued on August 16, 2003, with a total face value of 4.40 yuan, designed by Ling Lianwei and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. The issuance of this stamp set commemorates the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of Taiyuan. It features four Song Dynasty painted sculptures of palace maids from the Hall of the Sacred Mother at the Jin Ancestral Temple, showcasing the superb level of Song Dynasty painted sculpture art in China.

The Jin Ancestral Temple is located at the foot of Xuanweng Mountain southwest of Taiyuan, Shanxi. It is an ancient ancestral temple dedicated to Tang Shuyu of the Western Zhou Dynasty. The Hall of the Sacred Mother is the core building of the Jin Ancestral Temple, and the Song Dynasty painted sculptures inside are one of the three wonders of the temple. The Hall of the Sacred Mother preserves 43 painted sculptures. Apart from the main statue of the Sacred Mother, the remaining attendant statues each have distinct expressions and are close to life-size, realistic and expressive. They broke away from the rigid patterns of early religious sculpture, focusing on portraying the inner emotions of the figures, representing the pinnacle of Song Dynasty secular painted sculpture. The stamps feature four selected statues of maids, corresponding to the "Six Departments" of attendants in the ancient palace, showcasing the artistic charm of Song Dynasty sculpture in portraying character.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Ruyi Maid

This sculpture belongs to the attendant in charge of treasures. She is an older maid holding a ruyi scepter. Her figure is full, and there is a faint trace of sorrow between her brows. Her clothing is richly layered with antique coloring. Her expression is reserved and calm, reflecting the cautious and dignified temperament of a palace maid. She is one of the most representative sculptures in the Hall of the Sacred Mother.

Towel-Holding Maid

This sculpture is an attendant in charge of the chamber. She has a slender figure and holds a silk towel with both hands. Her facial expression carries a hint of fear, as if she is worried about making a mistake in her service. The delicate portrayal of her expression vividly conveys her cautious and anxious state of mind, making this a model of Song Dynasty painted sculpture that captures the spirit through form.

Seal-Holding Maid

This sculpture is an attendant in charge of the seal. She holds the imperial seal with both hands, with a dignified and steady posture, focused eyes, and a reserved, solemn expression. Her overall posture is respectful and composed, reflecting the identity of an attendant who guards the seal. The lines of the sculpture are steady, and the colors are rich, fully displaying a dignified and grand demeanor.

Singing and Dancing Maid

This sculpture is a younger maid with a shy smile and a complex expression. Beneath the smile lies a trace of sadness. Her posture is lively, and her robes flow gracefully. Originally an attendant for music and dance, the sculpture captures a fleeting moment of emotion, vividly portraying the complex inner feelings of a palace maid who has no control over her own fate.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set features full-body images of the painted sculptures as the main subjects, with the background using soft, blurred murals from the Hall of the Sacred Mother so as not to distract from the sculptures. The photogravure printing accurately reproduces the colors of the painted sculptures that have survived for a thousand years, delicately expressing the folds of the clothing, facial expressions, and decorative patterns. Each of the four sculptures has a distinct personality, with each image capturing a different demeanor. The stamps faithfully reproduce the original expressions and details, condensing the realistic and expressive artistic qualities of Song Dynasty painted sculpture into a small format, showcasing the profound humanistic heritage of ancient Chinese sculpture art.