Marine Fauna from Polynasia..

 

 

Here are new stamps from Polynasia, Hungary and Azerbaijan which cover the themes , Marine Fauna, Joint issue, culture and Tourism.

Polynasian Marine Fauna

Through this new series of postage stamps on French Polynesia’s “Marine fauna”, the Polynesian Post and Telecommunications Office celebrates the World Oceans Day 2013. This is an opportunity to pay tribute to the Ocean and to raise awareness of the preservation of these underwater marvels.

French Polynesian waters are famous for their abundant and diversified fauna. The magic of Polynesian turquoise lagoons unveils the wonders of the sea realm, full of small often colourful varieties that are fond of coral gardens. In these shallow waters, the clownfish lives in symbiosis with the anemone, surrounded by angelfishes, blue damselfishes, banner fishes or magnificent long snout butterfly fishes. Most of them seldom venture far from the coral reef which is like a shelter for them. In the same habitat, one can find “Tridacna maxima”, a widespread species of clams which is common in Polynesian waters, especially in the Tuamotu archipelago. Their size is usually around twenty centimeters and they can be found in a wide array of shimmering colours. One can also see the starfish, which can be recognised because of its five-pointed star-like shape. It generally feeds on motionless or slow-moving preys. Young turtles then fly across this gorgeous marine setting. In French Polynesia, five turtle species are present and are a matter for special attention.

Hungary – Azerbaijan Joint Issue

DAte of Issue : 15 June 2013

Magyar Posta and Azermarka are presenting the peacock motif often used in the applied folk art of both countries on a joint miniature sheet. Cross stitch embroidery from Transdanubia is featured on a light background on one of the stamps of the miniature sheet, and a detail from a horse blanket from the Caucasus is shown on the other.

The pillow cover made of light hessian embroidered in oblique cross stitch from 1891 is decorated with peacocks, floral patterns and stars. The original of the stamp design is an exceptionally beautiful example from the textile collection of the Museum of Ethnography. Similar motifs were very common in Transdanubia. Peacocks frequently featured in embroidery, mainly in home textiles. Embroidered articles such as pillows and ornamental covers played an important role in special events in family life such as births, marriages and deaths.

The Azeri peacock motif originates from a horse blanket made at the end of the 19^th century. The wool blanket from the Museum of Applied Arts was woven in two pieces and sewn together. The blanket covered a horse’s body and two long straps were tied at the front of the animal’s breast. Horizontal lines of peacocks with other birds and the “S” motif representing life-giving water are a common pattern of south Caucasian woven horse blankets. A richly patterned blanket increased the value of the horse and indicated the owner’s wealth. The horses carrying the bride’s dowry at a wedding were covered with these highly decorative blankets.