The stamp is designed after a fresco in Akrotiri on the island of Thera that was destroyed by an earthquake followed by a volcano eruption between 1650-1550 BC.
Paintings that was found in Acrotiri in Thera (Santorini) show that the Minoans used various types of ships. The Minoans were the first navy power in Greece (that no palace fortifications were found is a sign of their sea-power. Various types of Minoan ships probably used around 1500 BC. The paintings are parts of a Fresco discovered by the Greek archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos in “Acrotiri”. Interesting is that there is no waterline visible and the ships look as floating over the water.
http://www.hellenicaworld.com/Greece/Te ... Ships.html
This 6 metre fresco of a procession or escort of ships in miniature is from the south-west wall of Room 5 in the West House. Eight large ships and three smaller vessels, all powered by oarsmen, travel from one port to another with centre stage taken by the flagship of the fleet. The town on the right is more sophisticated (both in architecture and the inhabitants' clothes) and is identified by Marinatos as Akrotiri, whilst the flora and fauna of the town on the left identify it as Aegean, possibly another, more provincial town, on the island. In addition, the propulsion of the ships using oars suggests the two towns were not far apart. The scene may be a representation of a seasonal maritime festival or even a scene from a lost epic poem. The ships are decorated with flowers, butterflies, swallows, and symbols of nature which all suggest a religious festival as more likely. Dolphins very similar to those from Knossos leap between the ships and the buildings; flora and fauna in each port are drawn in great detail, as are the long robes of the ship passengers, which suggest they are of high social status and, once again, participating in an important religious festival. (National Archaeological Museum, Athens).
http://www.ancient.eu/article/673/
Congo Kinshasa 2001 10Fc sg?, scott?