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Duyou Qin (Wang Chuanshan seven-stringed zither-like instrument)
This qin is well preserved. Paulownia sap? The head of the qin is arc-shaped. There are curved indentations around the neck and shoulders of the qin. There is another arc indentation at the waist of the qin, between the 9th and 10th hui [circular inlays that mark note positions on the fingerboard]. The tail of the qin, known as the“burnt tail”(jiaowei), has rounded corners. The curved surface board has 7 strings and jade inlays (hui) on it. In the bottom board are two circular sound holes, known as “dragon pool” (Longchi) and “phoenix pond”(Fengzhao). The body of the qin was originally painted in a chestnut reddish black colour. Several places on it have been repaired with red paint. The underlayer coating (huitai [a grey coating that turns black when dried]), made of a mix of lacquer and powdered antler, can be seen in black. The cracks (duanwen) visible on the surface of the qin are “snake-skin cracks”and “cow-hair cracks”, whereas the ones on the bottom board are “snake-skin cracks” and “ice markings”.
- Date:
Late Tang dynasty - Maker:
- Collection:
Hunan Museum - Inventory number:
Loading... - Place of production:
China - Hornbostel-Sachs classification:314.122 True board zithers with resonator box (box zither)
- Culture:
- Period:
- Materials:Paulownia wood
- Specific materials/techniques:
- Decorative elements:
- Inscriptions:The middle of the shoulder section at the back of the qin is engraved with the characters “Duyou” in cursive script. The characters“Yuzhen ” are engraved in a square seal under the large sound hole (Longchi or“dragon pool”). These inscriptions are old carvings. |The 4 characters “Tai He Ding Mo”[i.e. 827 AD, the reign title of Emperor Wenzong of Tang] are engraved in clerical script under the dragon pool around the belly of the qin.|A poem written by Yang Zongji is engraved on the bottom right of the qin. [The poem tells of the characteristics of this qin and the legendary story about how the owner acquired it.] A note written by Li Jing is engraved on the bottom left of the qin. [It notes the poet, the original owner, the date of the qin and other related references.] At the end of the note is Boren’s seal [“Boren”is Li Jing’s other name].
- Hornbostel-Sachs category:314.122 True board zithers with resonator box (box zither)
- Repository:Hunan Museum
- Measurements:Total length: 120.5cm, width of the forehead: 19.0cm, width of the shoulders: 20.0cm, width of the tail: 14.0cm, thickness: 9.5cm