Detail

Korea, Mongolia and Kazakhstan have recently been engaged in active exchanges and cooperation in such diverse areas as economic, social and cultural affairs, with ever-increasing interest. The postal authorities of the three countries, after about a year of collaborative effort, a set of joint stamp that features each country’s “earrings.” It is hoped that the issuance of this stamp will spur and promote understanding and friendship among the people of the three countries and to strengthen cooperation in the field of postal service. The Korean earring showcased in the stamp is an earring made in the 5th~6th centuries for the royal family of the Silla dynasty. It was excavated from a Bubuchong (a couple tomb), in Bomun-ri, Gyeongju city. Boasting sophisticated esthetics and excellent metal craft, this earring is considered the most superb and elaborate example of the Silla period earrings. Designated as National Treasure No. 90, it is 8.7cm long and housed in the Museum of Korea. The Mongolian earring shown in the stamp was used by noblemen in the 18th∼19th centuries. Its 20.0 cm long form hangs down vertically. It is adorned with not only gold and silver but turquoise and coral as well, and is housed in the Mongolian National Historical Museum. The Kazakhstan earring depicted in the stamp was used by noblemen from the 2nd century BC to 1st century AD. It features a wild boar attacking humans, and is made of gold, turquoise, and carnelian. It is 3.85 cm long and kept in the State Central Historic Ethnography Museum. The setting of each stamp is in the pattern of Korea’s gold crown of the 5th∼6th centuries, Mongolia’s traditional pattern of the 19th century, and the pattern of a Kazakhstan female apparel of the 18th century. These patterns inserted into the setting of the stamp present a sense of harmony with the earrings.