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Spike fiddle; sihu
Sihu, spike fiddle, with bow. Wood, carved with lavish decoration, lacquered and gilded. The body consists of a small wooden hexagonal cylinder through which the spike passes. The front is covered with a snakeskin membrane, while the back has openwork gilt carving representing three human figures, over a fretwork panel. The faces of the hexagon are carved in relief with representations of animals, probably a cat, dog, phoenix, goat and cow, on a green ground. The neck is of square section, with carved decoration of clouds and bats. It bisects the resonator, emerging as the string-holder at the distal end where the strings are tied through a small hole. Four pegs enter from the rear, carved with sprays of blossom. The finial, a separate piece of wood inserted into the top of the spike, takes the form of a group of figures representing the poet Li Bai, drunk and supported by his attendants. Replacement bridge. The bow (1975.510a) has a double tier of hair, each one engaging with one pair of strings, supported in a hack-saw shaped stick. The bow is lacquered black with gilt decoration.
- Maker:
- Collection:
Horniman Museum and Gardens - Inventory number:
Loading... - Place of production:
China - Hornbostel-Sachs classification:321.312-71 spike box lutes or spike guitars sounded by bowing with a bow
- Culture:
- Period:
- Materials:resin, gold, pigment, paint, animal fibre, snakeskin, wood
- Specific materials/techniques:
- Decorative elements:
- Inscriptions:
- Hornbostel-Sachs category:321.312-71 spike box lutes or spike guitars sounded by bowing with a bow
- Repository:Horniman Museum and Gardens
- Measurements:overall: 755 x 82 x 145 mm