The philatelic issue Romanian Pottery-Pots and Cups (III), which Romfilatelia introduces into circulation, comes to complete a previous stamp series initiated in 2007, illustrating pottery objects hand-crafted on the territory of present day Romania. The philatelic issue Romanian Pottery-Pots and Cups (III), which Romfilatelia introduces into circulation, comes to complete a previous stamp series initiated in 2007, illustrating pottery objects hand-crafted on the territory of present day Romania.
Early since the Neolithic era, designed to create objects that would meet household needs, pottery was the main occupational activity across the country. Each geographical region had its own handicraftsmen and pottery centers were widespread. On an European scale, Romania is the only country that preserved pottery techniques and art entirely.
Presently, there is still a large number of pottery centers that make use of traditional pottery techniques. The county of Arges witnesses a wide variety of pottery creation techniques and a distinctive reminder is granted by the ancient pottery center in the town of Curtea de Arges, as well as the ones in Poienita, Cosesti and Stroesti. In the county of Suceava, important pottery centers are located in Marginea, with polished black pottery, Radauti, with decorative pottery, also known as Kuti and Paltinoasa with enamelled pots. Pottery tradition in Maramures is equally long-lasting since it has survived from Dacian times to the present day. It is interesting to observe that, in what garnishing and forms are concerned, all types of ceramics can be found. The unenamelled red ceramics using archaic decoration elements is to be found in Sacel, the enamelled horn decorative pottery is to be found in Vama, whereas the brush decorated pottery is made in Baia Sprie and Baia Mare. Besides the occupational activities of the local inhabitants, certain villagers in the county of Valcea are also specialized in pottery manufacture. During ancient times, potters were animal breeders, farmers, or fruit-growers and they would become skilled at pottery manufacture by molding various pot types during the short time they had between handling of their specific regional and occupational duties. Clay pottery manufacture in the Northern part of the county, in the depression of Horezu has brought about the set up of the Slatioara and Olari-Horezu pottery centers. Near the town of Ramnicu-Valcea, pottery centers as Buda and Vladesti are enlisted.
On the stamp with the face value of RON 2.00 we find a pot handcrafted made in Cosesti-Arges.
On the stamp with the face value of RON 2.40 is illustrated a cup made in Radauti-Suceava.
On the stamp with the face value of RON 6.00 is illustrated a cup made in Baia Mare-Maramures.
On the stamp with the face value of RON 7.60 we see a pot handicrafted made in Vladesti-Valcea.
*Pottery objects portrayed by the postage stamps of the issue are part of the collection inherited by the Romanian Peasant Museum.
Issue date: 2008-03-21
