Scott No: -
Serial number: 2004-21
Values in set: 2
Denomination: 280 fen
Date of issue: September 17, 2004
Designer: Wang Huming
Size of stamp: 40*30 mm
Perforation: 13*13.5
Sheet composition: 8 (4 sets)
Printing process: offset (with relief effect)
Printer: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing House

This special stamp set, Chicken-Blood Stone Seals, was issued on September 30, 2004. It consists of two stamps with a total face value of 1.60 yuan, with a miniature sheet issued concurrently. The stamps were designed by Wang Huming, engraved by Hu Zhenyuan, with Tong Liying serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using a combination of offset and intaglio (engraving) printing. The two stamps feature two Qing Dynasty imperial chicken-blood stone seals, presenting the beauty of this precious stone and the art of imperial seal carving in a compact format.

Chicken-blood stone is a rare and precious material for seal carving, unique to China. It is named for its bright red cinnabar inclusions, which resemble drops of chicken blood. The main producing areas are Changhua in Zhejiang and Balin in Inner Mongolia. It has long been regarded as a treasure among seal stones. Known for its smooth, warm texture and vivid red color, it has been highly valued by both the imperial court and literati, and was a favored material in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Seals have a history of thousands of years in China, serving as symbols of authority and as works of art integrating calligraphy, seal carving, and stone carving. This stamp set features imperial chicken-blood stone seals from the Qing Dynasty, showcasing the value of this rare stone and carrying the profound tradition of Chinese seal culture.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Qianlong Imperial Seal

This seal was used by the Qianlong Emperor as a collector's seal. The stone has vibrant and rich red color, with a simple and solid form. The seal script is neat and grand, used to mark the emperor's appreciation of paintings and calligraphy, bearing witness to the imperial collection of art.

Jiaqing Imperial Seal

This seal, used by the Jiaqing Emperor, has a warm and smooth texture with natural red patterns. The seal script is dignified and steady, used for marking the emperor's appreciation of artworks, continuing the tradition and aesthetic of Qing Dynasty imperial seals.

Artistic and Design Features

The horizontal format features the combined offset and intaglio technique, with engraved lines that precisely reproduce the texture of the stone, the natural color transitions, and the three-dimensional quality of the carved seal script. The realistic light and shadow effects capture the warm, translucent quality of the gemstone. The combined technique provides rich and delicate layers. The stamps incorporate multiple anti-counterfeiting features, including security paper, security ink, and fluorescent spray codes. The miniature sheet features simple and elegant border decorations, creating a classic and refined atmosphere, rich with the charm of traditional seal culture.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of seal carving and fine arts, including a miniature sheet, suitable for thematic collections on rare stones, seal carving, and imperial artifacts.