Two years ago, the South African Post Office released a series of stamps featuring artworks executed in traditional African beadwork.  The original beadwork pieces selected and the newly issued stamps can be seen in the exhibition entitled The 8th Definitive Series of Stamps: The luminous beauty of South African beadwork on Stamps at the Iziko South African National Gallery until 11 November 2012

The beaded works of art used on the stamps and other philatelic products were selected exclusively from the permanent collections of the Art and Social History Collections departments at Iziko Museums of South Africa. The 8th Definitive Stamp Series of Stamps acknowledges the beauty and aesthetic value of South African beadwork.  The exhibition showcases seven stamp designs, postcards, an aerogramme, different self-adhesive stamp-booklets and an illustrated coffee-table book, as well as commemorative covers and cancellers.

The entire series was designed by the Philatelic Services of the South African Post Office. "The stamps portray culturally significant items over time in South African society," says Johan van Wyk, head of Philately at the South African Post Office.  "They range from a traditional Tsonga fertility figure, to a modern bead cellphone rendered in beadwork."  Iziko Museums of South Africa is proud of the seven-year collaboration to select, advise, research and facilitate the photography of the beadwork adornment from its collections, which is also on display.

Photographed by Sasha Lipka, the stamps focus on detail rather than the whole item.  "The small stamp format lent itself best to photographs focusing on selected details of a particular item, instead of images of entire items," says Van Wyk.

Glass beadwork dates back to the 1600s or even earlier, when tiny glass beads were imported from Europe into South Africa as a means of exchange. Their colour and luminosity made them instantly desirable to local populations, and swiftly replaced the natural materials used to decorate clothing. Glass beadwork rapidly developed into a popular art form practiced almost exclusively by women.

"In South African culture, the art of glass beadwork is as valuable as figurative carving in other African societies," says Carol Kaufmann, curator of African Art, Iziko Museums of South Africa.  "These stamps will spread awareness of these cultural treasures all over South Africa – and the rest of the world – at an affordable cost."

All philatelic products and the coffee table book, entitled: The 8th definitive, the luminous beauty of South African beadwork on stamps are available from the South African Post Office (Grand Central, Cape Town) or online www.virtualpostoffice.co.za

International stamp collectors can order them by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

EDITOR'S NOTES

Iziko Museums of South Africa (Iziko) operates 11 national museums, the Planetarium, the Social History Centre and 3 collection specific libraries in Cape Town.  The museums that make up Iziko have their own history and character, presenting extensive art, social and natural history collections which reflect our diverse African heritage.  Iziko is a public entity and non-profit organisation which brings together these museums under a single governance and leadership structure.  The organisation allows *free access to all individuals on commemorative days, as well as unlimited free access to individuals aged 18 and under (excluding the Castle of Good Hope and Planetarium).

COMMEMORATIVE DAYS – FREE ENTRANCE (excluding Iziko Planetarium and Castle of Good Hope)

Human Rights Day: 21 March
Freedom Day: 27 April        
International Museum Day: 25 May        
Africa Day: 25 May
Youth Day: 16 June        
National Women's Day: 9 August        
Heritage Day: 24 September        
National Aids Awareness Day: 1 December        
Emancipation Day: 1 December
Day of Reconciliation: 16 December

Issued by: Melody Kleinsmith

Communications Coordinator: Institutional Advancement, Iziko Museums
Telephone +27 (0) 21 481 3861
Facsimile +27 (0) 21 481 9620
E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website www.iziko.org.za 

On behalf of:   Office of the CEO, Iziko Museums of South Africa