{"id":89691,"date":"2025-12-18T10:32:34","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T10:32:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/?page_id=89691"},"modified":"2026-01-30T09:14:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T09:14:38","slug":"collection-internationale-timbres-ceramique","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/academie\/unesco\/collection-internationale-timbres-ceramique\/","title":{"rendered":"International Ceramic Postage Stamp Collection","raw":"International Ceramic Postage Stamp Collection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

\"\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

International Ceramic Postage Stamp Collection<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

For many years, Guangzhen “Po” Zhou, an independent researcher specialising in world ceramic cultural heritage and an IAC goodwill ambassador, has been developing an exceptional international collection of postage stamps related to ceramics. This long-term research project has been made possible through the active support of IAC members from around the world. The IAC would particularly like to acknowledge the significant contributions to the collection made by Barbara Brown (1933\u20132025) and Shabanali Ghorbani.<\/p>\n

The collection currently comprises around 3,000 stamps featuring ceramic themes from over 160 countries and regions. Together, they constitute a unique and highly valuable corpus, offering a virtual encyclopaedia of ceramic history and cultures. Through these small yet powerful cultural messengers, the collection provides an insight into the diversity of ceramic traditions and highlights the universal human connection to clay and earth.<\/p>\n

The stamps depict a variety of ceramic styles, such as archaeological pottery, indigenous traditions, folk and vernacular ceramics, imperial and royal porcelain, industrial ceramics, contemporary pottery and ceramic art, as well as production processes. Acting as miniature ambassadors of their countries of origin, the stamps reflect national identity, cultural values and pride. By selecting ceramic imagery, nations affirm the significance of their ceramic heritage and the importance of contemporary ceramic practices on the global stage.<\/p>\n

In recognition of the cultural and documentary value of this collection, the IAC submitted a proposal in 2025 for its inscription in UNESCO\u2019s Memory of the World Programme. A multidisciplinary team of IAC members \u2014 ceramic specialists and historians \u2014 prepared the application following extensive research. The project has also benefited from the support of museums and philatelic experts worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

The collection is open and evolving, and is being enriched by ongoing contributions from IAC members and their networks. Individuals with stamp collections featuring ceramic objects, ceramic production or related themes are warmly invited to contribute to this collective heritage.<\/p>\n

Contact: Guangzhen Zhou GCHStamps@gmail.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
    \n
  • Acknowledgements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The IAC would like to thank the following members for their hard work on the UNESCO application file over several months: Isabelle Naef Galuba, Phyllis Kudder Sullivan, Zhou Guangzhen and Patty Wouters.<\/p>\n

    We would also like to thank those who supported the creation of the project website and promotional video, and Yilin Sun (Rebecca) and Zhou Guangzhen for their financial contributions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
\n
\"\"

The team who worked on finalising the application for \u201cMemory of the World\u201d and negotiating with the director of the Ariana Museum. From left to right: Isabelle Naef Galuba, Bernard Mazertat (Ariana Museum), Zhou Guangzhen, Phyllis Kudder Sullivan, Patty Wouters.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

International Ceramic Postage Stamp Collection<\/h3>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

For many years, Guangzhen \"Po\" Zhou, an independent researcher specialising in world ceramic cultural heritage and an IAC goodwill ambassador, has been developing an exceptional international collection of postage stamps related to ceramics. This long-term research project has been made possible through the active support of IAC members from around the world. The IAC would particularly like to acknowledge the significant contributions to the collection made by Barbara Brown (1933\u20132025) and Shabanali Ghorbani.<\/p>\r\n

The collection currently comprises around 3,000 stamps featuring ceramic themes from over 160 countries and regions. Together, they constitute a unique and highly valuable corpus, offering a virtual encyclopaedia of ceramic history and cultures. Through these small yet powerful cultural messengers, the collection provides an insight into the diversity of ceramic traditions and highlights the universal human connection to clay and earth.<\/p>\r\n

The stamps depict a variety of ceramic styles, such as archaeological pottery, indigenous traditions, folk and vernacular ceramics, imperial and royal porcelain, industrial ceramics, contemporary pottery and ceramic art, as well as production processes. Acting as miniature ambassadors of their countries of origin, the stamps reflect national identity, cultural values and pride. By selecting ceramic imagery, nations affirm the significance of their ceramic heritage and the importance of contemporary ceramic practices on the global stage.<\/p>\r\n

In recognition of the cultural and documentary value of this collection, the IAC submitted a proposal in 2025 for its inscription in UNESCO\u2019s Memory of the World Programme. A multidisciplinary team of IAC members \u2014 ceramic specialists and historians \u2014 prepared the application following extensive research. The project has also benefited from the support of museums and philatelic experts worldwide.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

The collection is open and evolving, and is being enriched by ongoing contributions from IAC members and their networks. Individuals with stamp collections featuring ceramic objects, ceramic production or related themes are warmly invited to contribute to this collective heritage.<\/p>\r\n

Contact: Guangzhen Zhou GCHStamps@gmail.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_89694\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"765\"]\"\" The Swiss Post Office decided to make a postal stamp with the ceramic furnace held in the Ariana collection (https:\/\/www.musee-ariana.ch\/collections\/oeuvre\/poele\/ar-04206).[\/caption]\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n
    \r\n
  • Acknowledgements<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    The IAC would like to thank the following members for their hard work on the UNESCO application file over several months: Isabelle Naef Galuba, Phyllis Kudder Sullivan, Zhou Guangzhen and Patty Wouters.<\/p>\r\n

    We would also like to thank those who supported the creation of the project website and promotional video, and Yilin Sun (Rebecca) and Zhou Guangzhen for their financial contributions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_89701\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"940\"]\"\" The team who worked on finalising the application for \u201cMemory of the World\u201d and negotiating with the director of the Ariana Museum. From left to right: Isabelle Naef Galuba, Bernard Mazertat (Ariana Museum), Zhou Guangzhen, Phyllis Kudder Sullivan, Patty Wouters.[\/caption]\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

 <\/p>"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The international ceramic stamp collection was submitted for its inscription to the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"The international ceramic stamp collection was submitted for its inscription to the UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme."},"author":2192,"featured_media":89693,"parent":76169,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_fr_post_content":"

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Collection internationale de timbres-poste de c\u00e9ramique<\/h3>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

Depuis de nombreuses ann\u00e9es, Guangzhen \u00ab Po \u00bb Zhou, chercheur ind\u00e9pendant sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9 dans le patrimoine culturel mondial de la c\u00e9ramique et ambassadeur de bonne volont\u00e9 de l'AIC, d\u00e9veloppe une collection internationale exceptionnelle de timbres-poste li\u00e9s \u00e0 la c\u00e9ramique. Ce projet de recherche \u00e0 long terme a \u00e9t\u00e9 rendu possible gr\u00e2ce au soutien actif des membres de l'IAC du monde entier. L'AIC tient \u00e0 remercier tout particuli\u00e8rement Barbara Brown (1933-2025) et Shabanali Ghorbani pour leur contribution significative \u00e0 la collection.<\/p>\r\n

La collection comprend actuellement environ 3 000 timbres sur le th\u00e8me de la c\u00e9ramique provenant de plus de 160 pays et r\u00e9gions. Ensemble, ils constituent un corpus unique et tr\u00e8s pr\u00e9cieux, offrant une encyclop\u00e9die virtuelle de l'histoire et des cultures de la c\u00e9ramique. \u00c0 travers ces petits mais puissants messagers culturels, la collection donne un aper\u00e7u de la diversit\u00e9 des traditions c\u00e9ramiques et met en \u00e9vidence le lien universel qui unit l'humanit\u00e9 \u00e0 l'argile et \u00e0 la terre.<\/p>\r\n

Les timbres repr\u00e9sentent divers styles de c\u00e9ramique, tels que la poterie arch\u00e9ologique, les traditions autochtones, la c\u00e9ramique populaire et vernaculaire, la porcelaine imp\u00e9riale et royale, la c\u00e9ramique industrielle, la poterie contemporaine et l'art c\u00e9ramique, ainsi que les processus de production. V\u00e9ritables ambassadeurs miniatures de leurs pays d'origine, les timbres refl\u00e8tent l'identit\u00e9 nationale, les valeurs culturelles et la fiert\u00e9. En choisissant des images li\u00e9es \u00e0 la c\u00e9ramique, les nations affirment l'importance de leur patrimoine c\u00e9ramique et celle des pratiques c\u00e9ramiques contemporaines sur la sc\u00e8ne mondiale.<\/p>\r\n

Reconnaissant la valeur culturelle et documentaire de cette collection, l'AIC a soumis en 2025 une proposition visant \u00e0 l'inscrire au programme M\u00e9moire du monde de l'UNESCO. Une \u00e9quipe multidisciplinaire compos\u00e9e de membres de l'AIC, de sp\u00e9cialistes en c\u00e9ramique et d'historiens, a pr\u00e9par\u00e9 la candidature apr\u00e8s des recherches approfondies. Le projet a \u00e9galement b\u00e9n\u00e9fici\u00e9 du soutien de mus\u00e9es et d'experts philat\u00e9liques du monde entier.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

La collection est ouverte et \u00e9volutive, et s'enrichit gr\u00e2ce aux contributions continues des membres de l'AIC et de leurs r\u00e9seaux. Les personnes poss\u00e9dant des collections de timbres sur le th\u00e8me des objets en c\u00e9ramique, de la production c\u00e9ramique ou des th\u00e8mes connexes sont cordialement invit\u00e9es \u00e0 contribuer \u00e0 ce patrimoine collectif.<\/p>\r\n

Contact : Guangzhen Zhou, GCHStamps@gmail.com<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_89694\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"765\"]\"\" The Swiss Post Office decided to make a postal stamp with the ceramic furnace held in the Ariana collection (https:\/\/www.musee-ariana.ch\/collections\/oeuvre\/poele\/ar-04206).[\/caption]\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n
    \r\n
  • Remerciements<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    L'AIC tient \u00e0 remercier les membres suivants pour leur travail acharn\u00e9 sur le dossier de candidature \u00e0 l'UNESCO au cours des derniers mois : Isabelle Naef Galuba, Phyllis Kudder Sullivan, Zhou Guangzhen et Patty Wouters.<\/p>\r\n

    Nous souhaitons \u00e9galement remercier toutes les personnes qui ont contribu\u00e9 \u00e0 la cr\u00e9ation du site web et de la vid\u00e9o promotionnelle du projet, ainsi que Yilin Sun (Rebecca) et Zhou Guangzhen pour leur soutien financier.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_89701\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"940\"]\"\" The team who worked on finalising the application for \u201cMemory of the World\u201d and negotiating with the director of the Ariana Museum. From left to right: Isabelle Naef Galuba, Bernard Mazertat (Ariana Museum), Zhou Guangzhen, Phyllis Kudder Sullivan, Patty Wouters.[\/caption]\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

 <\/p>","_fr_post_name":"collection-internationale-timbres-ceramique","_fr_post_excerpt":"La collection internationale de timbres de c\u00e9ramique a \u00e9t\u00e9 soumise pour inscription au programme M\u00e9moire du monde de l'UNESCO","_fr_post_title":"Collection internationale de timbres-poste de c\u00e9ramique","_en_post_content":"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

International Ceramic Postage Stamp Collection<\/h3>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n

For many years, Guangzhen \"Po\" Zhou, an independent researcher specialising in world ceramic cultural heritage and an IAC goodwill ambassador, has been developing an exceptional international collection of postage stamps related to ceramics. This long-term research project has been made possible through the active support of IAC members from around the world. The IAC would particularly like to acknowledge the significant contributions to the collection made by Barbara Brown (1933\u20132025) and Shabanali Ghorbani.<\/p>\r\n

The collection currently comprises around 3,000 stamps featuring ceramic themes from over 160 countries and regions. Together, they constitute a unique and highly valuable corpus, offering a virtual encyclopaedia of ceramic history and cultures. Through these small yet powerful cultural messengers, the collection provides an insight into the diversity of ceramic traditions and highlights the universal human connection to clay and earth.<\/p>\r\n

The stamps depict a variety of ceramic styles, such as archaeological pottery, indigenous traditions, folk and vernacular ceramics, imperial and royal porcelain, industrial ceramics, contemporary pottery and ceramic art, as well as production processes. Acting as miniature ambassadors of their countries of origin, the stamps reflect national identity, cultural values and pride. By selecting ceramic imagery, nations affirm the significance of their ceramic heritage and the importance of contemporary ceramic practices on the global stage.<\/p>\r\n

In recognition of the cultural and documentary value of this collection, the IAC submitted a proposal in 2025 for its inscription in UNESCO\u2019s Memory of the World Programme. A multidisciplinary team of IAC members \u2014 ceramic specialists and historians \u2014 prepared the application following extensive research. The project has also benefited from the support of museums and philatelic experts worldwide.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n

The collection is open and evolving, and is being enriched by ongoing contributions from IAC members and their networks. Individuals with stamp collections featuring ceramic objects, ceramic production or related themes are warmly invited to contribute to this collective heritage.<\/p>\r\n

Contact: Guangzhen Zhou GCHStamps@gmail.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_89694\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"765\"]\"\" The Swiss Post Office decided to make a postal stamp with the ceramic furnace held in the Ariana collection (https:\/\/www.musee-ariana.ch\/collections\/oeuvre\/poele\/ar-04206).[\/caption]\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n
    \r\n
  • Acknowledgements<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    The IAC would like to thank the following members for their hard work on the UNESCO application file over several months: Isabelle Naef Galuba, Phyllis Kudder Sullivan, Zhou Guangzhen and Patty Wouters.<\/p>\r\n

    We would also like to thank those who supported the creation of the project website and promotional video, and Yilin Sun (Rebecca) and Zhou Guangzhen for their financial contributions.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

\r\n
\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_89701\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"940\"]\"\" The team who worked on finalising the application for \u201cMemory of the World\u201d and negotiating with the director of the Ariana Museum. From left to right: Isabelle Naef Galuba, Bernard Mazertat (Ariana Museum), Zhou Guangzhen, Phyllis Kudder Sullivan, Patty Wouters.[\/caption]\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

 <\/p>","_en_post_name":"collection-internationale-timbres-ceramique","_en_post_excerpt":"The international ceramic stamp collection was submitted for its inscription to the UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme.","_en_post_title":"International Ceramic Postage Stamp Collection","_ja_post_content":"","_ja_post_name":"","_ja_post_excerpt":"","_ja_post_title":"","_zh_post_content":"","_zh_post_name":"collection-internationale-de-timbres-poste-de-ceramique","_zh_post_excerpt":"","_zh_post_title":"","_es_post_content":"","_es_post_name":"collection-internationale-timbres-ceramique","_es_post_excerpt":"","_es_post_title":"","edit_language":"en"},"class_list":["post-89691","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/89691","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2192"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=89691"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/89691\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":90074,"href":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/89691\/revisions\/90074"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/76169"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/89693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aic-iac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=89691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}