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Hong Kong, China – Finland Joint Issue on Fine Woodwork(2 November 2007)
Over the centuries, wood has played a unique role in human civilisation. Skillful craftsmen and artists have produced such exquisite wooden articles that they are no longer simply functional items but have become objects of beauty and pieces of art. To pay tribute to wood, Hongkong Post and Finland Post jointly present the special stamps "Fine Woodwork". This is our eighth joint issue with an overseas postal administration.
This set of two HK$5 stamps depicts Zitan armchair with dragon design of Qing dynasty from Hong Kong, China, and Oval bowls of the 2000s from Finland.
Zitanarmchair with dragon design, Qing dynasty
Zitan (red sandalwood) is a rare and treasured wood known for its exceptional quality and close grain. The sizeable zitan armchair depicted on the stamp displays graceful lines and perfect proportions. The close-up shot on the right shows details of the single piece of wood comprising the splat of the chair, which is carved in a kuilong motif. An auspicious symbol in traditional Chinese culture and hence a popular design in handicraft, kuilong, a dragon-like creature marked by its single horn and single leg, made its first appearance in bronze. The distinct curves of the carved areas are accentuated by the beautiful dark colour and subtle lustre of the wood. The refined design of the angular armchair exemplifies the restrained and elegant style of Qing dynasty furniture.
Oval bowls of the 2000s
The birch is the national tree of Finland. When a birch tree is cut, nothing goes to waste. It provides timber for traditional tools and furniture, bark for roofing and paper making, twigs for fodder and sap for drinks. No wonder this versatile tree has always held an important place in the lives and hearts of the Finnish people. Executed in tough curly birch, the six items featured on the stamp take a traditional form. Clear and strong lines add a contemporary touch to the fluted pieces. Their smooth contour and solid forms speak much about the characteristics of Finnish designs, which espouse clear-cut simplicity.
The fine grains of zitan (left) and birch (right) are merged onto the backdrop of the Souvenir Sheet, with their textures and tones forming a marked contrast. The theme of the stamp issue is shown trilingually in Chinese, English and Finnish, using special lettering to simulate the effect of wood carving.