Lute

Chinese "Erxian" with bow

China
China

Wood, Snake Skin, String, Hair
ca. Mid 20th century

Very ornate Chinese "Erxian" (er: 'two'; xian: 'string') with bow. It has a dragon head, round body resonator, no base, and is played with the resonator body held by the player's right upturned foot, between the knees. There are two variants of this instrument found on the southeast coast of China and Taiwan. This erxian is of the Chaozhou sub-culture with its hard-wood neck and tuned to A-e. The erxian of the Minnan sub-culture has a bamboo neck and is tuned to G-d. The erxian is a popular Cantonese opera instrument.

Owner:
Catalog#: AS-CHLT-23

© Hartenberger World Music Collection