End-blown flute
Vernacular Name
- Xiao
- Feng huang hsaio
ALTERNATE NAME(S)
- Notch flute
Date1900-1925 ca.
Place MadeChina, Asia
Serial No.none
SignednoneMarkingsThe nodes seem to have been burned, especially the node at the very bottom of the instrument.
DescriptionEnd-blown with U-shaped notch. Bamboo body. Five fingerholes on front. One thumbhole on back. Sound is produced by blowing across the notch. Flutes of this type, dating back to 5700 BC and carved from wing bones of the red-crowned crane, have been excavated in Henan Province. Xiao made of ivory, jade, bamboo, bone and porcelain have been found throughout China. Xiao may be played alone, in duet with qin or zheng zithers, or in small ensembles.
DimensionsOverall length: 742 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number05594
On View
Not on view
