2018 Taiwan R.O.CHINA -Maximum Card.- Ancient Chinese Art Treasures -Blue and White Porcelain (5Pcs.)
1. Stamps:
(1) Water-container in the shape of a plum blossom with fish and waterweed decoration in underglaze blue, Wanli reign, Ming dynasty (NT$6): This porcelain is in the shape of a five-petalled plum blossom. The inside of the container is filled with blue fish and waterweeds. The sides are decorated with three blue lines. The outside of the container features lingzhi mushrooms, eight auspicious treasures, and double blue lines under the lip.
(2) Bell-shaped bowl with underglaze-blue decoration of phoenixes among flowers, Xuande reign, Ming dynasty (NT$9): In Chinese this porcelain is of a type known as an “upside-down bell bowl” because of its shape. Both the outside of the bowl and the bottom of the inside of the bowl feature a pair of phoenixes, which are flying amid a pattern of lotus blossoms and entwined branches. A grass pattern encircles the inside of the bowl just under the lip. Blue lines can be seen at the mouth, foot and the inside bottom of the bowl.
(3) Ewer with sprays of fruits and floral scrolls decoration in underglaze blue, Qianlong reign, Qing dynasty (NT$15): This porcelain is short necked and pear shaped. There is a handle on one side, and a spout on the opposite side. There is a banana-leaf pattern on the neck, and on the shoulder a design of twisted branches and passion flowers. There are diamond-shaped enclosures on both sides of the ewer’s belly, with either peaches or loquats centered within and surrounded by peonies, passion flowers and other cut flowers.
(4) Vase with eight auspicious treasures in underglaze blue, Qianlong reign, Qing dynasty (NT$16): This vase is short necked and round shouldered with a pair of round handles. There is a pattern of winding branches and passion flowers on the vase’s neck and belly. Under the neck there is a grass pattern, and there are eight auspicious treasures supported by lotuses on the vase’s shoulders. Under the belly, there is a circular pattern of lotus petals.
2. Souvenir Sheet (NT$28): It takes as its subject “Celestial globe vase with decoration of dragon among lotus blossoms in underglaze blue, Yongle reign, Ming dynasty.” The vase features a straight neck and round belly, as well as a flat and slightly concave base, and takes its name for its supposed similarity to “celestial globes” (i.e. planets). The entire belly of the vase is covered with a three-clawed dragon that has turned his head amid lotus blossoms. His mouth is open, his tongue out, his teeth bared, and his eyes wide open, as his scale-covered body moves with great strides. He is the very picture of a powerful beast.
To add philatelic interest, the souvenir sheet is being issued in strips of 3 for the first time ever, with a total release of 250,000 sheets. Also released is a stamp folio. It comes with a set of 4 stamps, a souvenir sheet, a strip of 3 souvenir sheets, a set of 4 pre-cancelled maximum cards, and a souvenir sheet maximum card.
The shipping/handling(s/h) of this single item by registered airmail is EUR $4.00 anywhere of the world.
