Detail

`The Ministry of Communications issues two kinds of new definitive stamps, 80 won and 700 won stamps, to facilitate the convenience of postal users. The 80 won stamp has as its design an earthen vessel in the shape of a warrior on horseback, and the 700 won stamp a mandarin duck-shaped lid of celadon incense burner. The 80 won stamp is rimmed so that automatic stamping will be possible. 1. Eaethen Vessel in the Shape of a Warrior on Horseback One of the two earthen vessels unearthed from Keumryungchong(an ancient tomb in Kyongju) in 1924, this is 23.4㎝ in height and 29.4㎝ in length, and is designated as National Treasure No. 91. A relic of the Shilla Period(5th-6th century A.D.), the vessel is possessed by the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. Although the earthenware itself is designed as a vessel, it appears that it was not used for practical purpose but was one of the objects made for burying with the dead. This vessel is rated as an excellent piece of art for an artefact of the Three Kingdom Period. 2. Mandarin Duck-Shape Lid of Celadon Incense Burner Considered to be a rare beauty made in the golden days of celadon porcelain, the frist half of the 12th century, this piece is the lid of an incense burner of celadon porocelain. It is 11.6㎝ in height and 10.2㎝ in diameter at the mouth, and is possessed by the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. The mandarin duck sitting with its head erect straight, whose depiction is based on reality, is an example of composition that expresses in an ingenious way the function and tone characteristic of an artefact. It thus shows the romantic mood and artistic ingenuity of the period of celadon porcelain.`