Chinese Yangqin, Lid, and Tuning Key

Yangqin Soundboard (a)

Yangqin Soundboard (a)

Name/Title

Chinese Yangqin, Lid, and Tuning Key

Entry/Object ID

2000.002.00002a-b

Description

Chinese yangqin (hammered dulcimer or butterfly harp). Instrument is composed of a wooden trapezoidal soundboard with 14 rows of 3 metal tuning pegs placed upright on both left and right sides. Attached to the pegs and the stretching lengthwise across the soundboard are 38 metal strings, coupled in groups of three over two bridges. Three strips of red paper, each with seven handwritten Chinese characters indicating different pitches, are placed in line with the two bridges. To the left of each bridge is a small circular ivory carving of a bird and plants inside a wooden ring. In the middle of the soundboard is a small red paper label filled with Chinese characters. Four metal latches (two on either side of the instrument) attach an accompanying lid to the yangqin. Between the two latches on the front is a small drawer with a decorative metal pull tab handle. Inside the drawer is a small brass-colored hammer-shaped tuning key. This Butterfly harp is the older of the two HJ donated to CHSA.

Material

Brass, Wood, Metal, Paper

General Notes

Note

Insurance Co.: Eddie Tsang Insurance Co Insurance Rep: Eddie Tsang Notes: The tuning key is stored inside the small front drawer of an accompanying yangqin (2000.002.00002a). Item was submitted as part of CHSA's entry into the Museum Loan Network (November 2003). Status: OK