China
Chinese

Bamboo, metal, paint
Late 20th century
Length: 34 inches
Aerophones – Edge-blown Flutes

The xiao (hsiao) is a vertical end-blown flute of China.  It first appeared in the Han dynasty (206 B.C.E. – 220 C. E.) and was possibly imported from the Qiang people of todays’ northwestern China.  There are several types of xiao depending on variation in size – length, diameter; the U- or V-shaped notch at the top node; and the type of materials (bamboo, jade, porcelain, or ivory).  This xiao is known as the Zizhu xiao (‘purple bamboo’ xiao) and comes from the Jiangnan region of central-eastern China.  Its color is actually dark brown, and it has a U-shaped inward sloping notch carved at the top.  The overall all length is 34 inches and there is a green ‘G’ carved into the straight narrow tube that has three metal sleeve joints.  There are seven finger holes on the front and one thumb hole in the back, with an addition six vent holes in the bottom extension.  Engraving of pitches painted in white and green are shown on top and on the bottom back side is a signature in red.  The inside of the xiao is coated with a type of red lacquer.