Shawm
Date1950-1970 ca.
Place MadeChina, Asia
Serial No.none
SignednoneMarkingsnone
DescriptionCylindrical bamboo shawm. Seven oval-shaped finger holes on front, one oval-shaped thumb hole.
Double-reed instrument, introduced in its earliest form (bili) into China from the Kuqa Kingdom of Central Asia during the pre-Tang period (500 AD). Common throughout northern China among village Taoist and Buddhist practitioners. Two sizes of reeds are used to facilitate key changes, both made from riverweed. Guan reeds are much larger and thicker than suona reeds, although they are also wrapped with wire. The entire reed is inserted into the mouth, like the suona.
DimensionsOverall length: 257 mm
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number05031
On View
Not on view
1920-1935 ca.
1920-1935 ca.
1885-1899 ca.
1880-1920 ca.
