China
Chinese

Mahogany, wood, bone, metal strings, mother-of-pearl
ca. 20th century
Length: 26 in, Width: 9 in
Chordophones – Lutes

The liuqin is a small four string, pear-shaped plucked lute of the Han Chinese.  It is also known as the tu pipa (‘native’ pipa’) and looks like a smaller version of the pipa.  The instrument is held in a slightly tilted upright position in the lap with the left hand supporting the neck.  It is played with a triangular acrylic plectrum held by the right hand between the thumb and index finger.  The liuqin has a shallow sound box and sounds similar to a mandolin. During the Qing Dynasty it experienced much popularity, but had only two or three strings, and was used for accompaniment purposes in traditional operas. Today it is used throughout China including the Chinese orchestra and is experiencing a new popularity.

Resource: “Liuqin”; Alan R. Thrasher/Goria N. Wong, “The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments,” second edition; Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief.