Stamps
Christmas – Sacred art
Two impressive stamp designs draw attention to the cultural and historical wealth of sacred art in our country. They depict selected sections of church windows at Bern Cathedral and Königsfelden Abbey.
Rich Content Section
The design of the 110-centime stamp depicts a nativity scene from the “youth of Christ” window at Königsfeld Abbey. The monastery buildings near Windisch were built after the murder of King Albrecht I as a place of remembrance for the Habsburg family. The stained glass in the northern choir apse window, with its depiction of the birth of Christ, was created shortly before the consecration in 1330 and represents the highest order of craftsmanship from the period.
The 230-centime stamp features an angel design from the “Host mill” window in Bern Cathedral. This is one of the choir windows in the church, which was built from 1421 onwards. The window has been preserved practically in its original condition. The window’s iconography is considered complex. Located in a part of the church formerly open only to clergy, it was designed to appeal to an educated audience. It was crafted by an unknown master between 1448 and 1453.
Original stained glass
Then as now, the colourful stained glass windows captivate the viewer with the power of light and their gem-like radiance. The two windows, which are open to the public, are among the most important medieval ensembles in Switzerland. For opening hours and further information about Bern Cathedral, visit bernermuenster.ch.Target not accessible Königsfelden Abbey is now part of the Aargau Museum and is open to visitors from April to October. For details, visit museumaargau.ch/en/koenigsfelden-abbeyTarget not accessible.
Technical information
Sales
Philately: from 3.11.2022 to 31.12.2023 or while stocks last
Branches: from 10.11.2022 to 31.12.2023 or while stocks last
Validity
Unlimited from 10.11.2022
Printing
Offset, 4-colour (sheet margin + 1 special colour each); Cartor Security Printing, La Loupe, France
Sizes
Stamps: 32.5 × 40 mm
Sheetlet: 192 × 115 mm
2 rows of 5 stamps
Paper
White stamp paper with optical brightener, matt gummed, 110 gm2
Perforation
13 ¼: 13 ¼
Design
Graphics: Bernard Schlup, Bern
Photography: Kantonale Denkmalpflege Aargau, Aarau (110), Alexander Gempeler, Bern (230)