Pipa (琵琶 )

Unknown

late 19th–early 20th century · Wood, ivory, lacquer · Musical Instruments

The term pipa has been known since the third century b.c. It originally described the playing motion of the right hand: pi, "to play forward" (left), and pa, "to play backward" (right). Since the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), the pipa has been used in operatic and narrative-singing ensembles and has a solo repertoire of highly programmatic, virtuosic music.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 19th–early 20th century

Medium

Wood, ivory, lacquer

Culture

Chinese

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Gift of Miss Alice Getty, 1946