Name/Title
Qinpin (Two-string Chinese banjo)Entry/Object ID
2000.002.00005Description
Wooden, hollow body 2-string Chinese banjo. The head has two wooden tuning pegs set in opposition, to which two strings (one intact, one broken) are attached; the unbroken string runs the length of the neck and attaches to a carved wooden bridge near the bottom of the banjo. The curved top of the head is decorated with carved depictions of flowers and two bats. Set in the center of these is a small carved ivory relief of a dragon. The banjo has twelve protruding frets in the fingerboard made of ivory and wood. A small circular soundhole is bored into the surface of the six-sided flower-shaped body underneath the bridge. On the right side of the surface of the body are two Chinese characters written in black calligraphy. A metallic ringing sound comes from the body of the banjo when it is gently shaken. On the backside of the upperneck is a small metal label reading: "KWONG MING CO. -733 CLAY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., U.S.A" several Chinese characters, a small star, and "MADE IN CHINA."Material
Wood, ivory, Metal