A new set of stamps designed by Alfred Caruana Ruggier and featuring ceramics in Maltese collections will be issued by Maltapost on February 25.
The stamps have been printed on Maltese Cross watermarked paper by Printex and have face values of 7c, 16c, 28c, 37c and 60c.
Clay has been used for making household objects as well as figurines that reflect primary objects of divine cults since the Neolithic times.
Contemporary ceramics in Malta were introduced in the early 1950s with the medium becoming ever more popular in recent years.
The 7c stamp depicts a Neolithic terracotta female figurine, excavated by David Trump in the early 1960s.
A modelled Roman terracotta head is portrayed on the 16c stamp while the 28c stamp portrays a late mediaeval terracotta oil lamp holder.
The 37c stamp shows a Sicilian display plate while the 60c stamp portrays a stylised figure in Maltese traditional costume.
The set can be obtained as a First Day Cover, in mint or cancelled format, as a souvenir folder or presentation pack. More details are available from the Philatelic Bureau of Maltapost, by calling 2123 9153 or by sending an e-mail to philately@maltapost.com