Weaving is a traditional art form in Niue, with the knowledge of weaving being passed down through elders and family members to the younger generation. The 2014 Niue Christmas stamp issue features Niuean weaving designs incorporated into traditional Christmas decorations.
Issue information
Christmas is an important holiday in Niue, with many Niueans who live abroad travelling back to Niue for the holiday season. A traditional Niuean Christmas is spent with friends and family, reflecting on the meaning of the holiday season and the year gone by.
Stamps for a Niuean Christmas
This charming Niuean Christmas stamp issue comprises four gummed stamps: 30c, $1.40, $2.00 and $4.00. Each stamp features different traditional Christmas tree baubles overlaid with motifs found on Niuean hiapo (tapa cloth) as well as the Niuean phrase ‘Monuina e Kilisimasi’ (‘Merry Christmas”’).
The hiapo is a hand-woven and decorated barkcloth from Niue, with the patterns in this issue coming from hiapo from the 1800s. Heavily influenced by the Samoan missionaries, the patterns and motifs bear striking similarities to Samoan weaving from the same time period. Hiapo were traditionally woven from the bark of the paper mulberry tree.
Festive Christmas collectables
Included in this issue are a miniature sheet and two first day covers containing each of the four gummed stamps. The first day covers feature larger imagery of the decorations that appear on the stamps with weaving patterns in the background.
These stamps will make a gorgeous addition to any Niuean stamp collection, so order your 2014 Niue Christmas stamps today.
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 10 December 2014 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Four gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | 30c, $1.40, $2.00 and $4.00 |
| Stamps and first day cover designed by: | New Zealand Post Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer: | Collectables and Solutions Centre, New Zealand Post, Whanganui, New Zealand |
| Number of Colours | Four Process Colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
| Paper Type | Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 16 stamps |
| Perforation gauge: | 13.33 |
| Period of sale: |
Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 9 Decmember 2015 |