Scott No: 3531-2
Serial number: 2006-22
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: September 26, 2006
Denomination: 160 fen
Designer: Wang Huming, Adolphe Thomas
Size of stamps: 40*30 mm
Perforation: 13*12.5
Sheet composition: 16
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

This stamp set was issued on September 26, 2006. It consists of two stamps with a total face value of 1.60 yuan, designed by Wang Huming and Adolf Toma, with Chen Jing serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using offset printing.

This is a special stamp set jointly issued by China and Austria, featuring classical musical instruments from both Eastern and Western cultures as the theme. It uses music as a bridge for cultural exchange, symbolizing the bond and mutual appreciation between the two countries, and showcasing two distinct yet equally brilliant musical civilizations.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Guqin

The stamp features an antique Tang Dynasty guqin, with the warm and rich wood grain of the instrument and the fine details of its strings and tassels. The background features a light ink wash painting of pavilions and towers, evoking the classic story of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" and the bond of true friendship. The guqin is a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument with a long history, known for its clear and distant tones. It embodies the spirit of ancient Chinese scholars and is not just a musical instrument but also an important carrier of traditional Chinese ritual and music culture.

Piano

The stamp features a classic European grand piano as the main visual subject, with elegant and flowing lines and a simple, grand form. The piano originated in the West and is one of the most important instruments in classical music, with a rich and wide range of expression. It has witnessed the glorious history of European classical music for centuries and is an iconic symbol of Western music culture.

Artistic and Design Features

The two horizontal stamps present a side-by-side comparison, with the Chinese ink wash style and the European realistic style complementing each other. The design is clean and elegant, and the offset printing provides soft and delicate colors. The two instruments, one ancient and one modern, one Eastern and one Western, create a dialogue and fusion of musical cultures.

This stamp set is a joint issue on the theme of music and the arts, suitable for thematic collections on traditional musical instruments and Sino-foreign cultural exchange.