Mouth organ
Date1885-1899 ca.
Place MadeChina, Asia
Serial No.none
SignednoneMarkingsChinese characters incised on interior edges of pipes, likely pitch notations.
DescriptionMouth organ with bronze wind chest, seventeen bamboo pipes and metal reeds. Pipes carved to fit in a tight cluster, traditionally associated with the wings of the mythical phoenix. Only fourteen of the pipes are playable; the others are present merely to complete the symmetry of the bird’s wings. Metal reeds are attached to the lower ends of the pipes, visible only when removed from wind chest. Small drops of wax are used to tune each reed. Chinese characters, identifying each pitch, are inscribed on interior walls of speaking pipes. Historically, gourds were used for the wind chest. Like its Western counterpart, the harmonica, the sheng plays both blow and draw notes.
DimensionsOverall height: 530 mm
Height of base: 84 mm
Embouchure hole (length x width): 15.6 mm x 15.4 mm
Credit LineBoard of Trustees, 1979
Object number02566
On View
On view
1915-1935 ca.