Mouth organ
Vernacular Name
- Sheng
Date1880-1900 ca.
Place MadeChina, Asia
Serial No.None
SignedNoneDescriptionMouth organ with wooden wind chest, seventeen ebonized bamboo pipes and metal reeds. Pipes carved to fit in a tight cluster, traditionally associated with the wings of the mythical phoenix, are held together with a horn ring. Only thirteen of the pipes are playable; the others are present merely to complete the symmetry of the bird’s wings. Some pipes are topped with bone. Brass reeds are attached to the lower ends of the pipes, visible only when removed from wind chest. Ovoid mouthpiece is tipped with bone, with intricate holes drilled in for blowing. A round inset at the base is also bone, with similar patterned holes.Dimensions16 x 4 inchesProvenanceNo known provenance.Credit LineAlan G. Bates Collection, 2000
Object number08379
On View
Not on view
1885-1899 ca.
1980-1996 ca.
1950-1993 ca.
1950-1993 ca.