Yangqin (揚琴 )

Shop of Refined Tones, Guangzhou (Canton)

19th century · Wood, brass · Musical Instruments

This dulcimer is found in orchestras and small ensembles but is more at home in the regional opera of Guangzhou (Canton). Evidence suggests that the yangqin first appeared in the southeastern province of Guandong during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), indicating diffusion by sea from the Middle East rather than by the usual overland Silk Road. Unlike plucked lutes, which have silk or nylon strings of varying thicknesses, the yangqin has strings of copper or steel, which are beaten with flexible bamboo hammers.

Artist

Shop of Refined Tones, Guangzhou (Canton)

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood, brass

Culture

Chinese

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889