Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History



  • Pipa, 19th century
    Made by Jiu-cheng (Chinese, 19th century)
    Guangzhou (Canton), China
    Wood, ivory, bone, gut

    L. 37 1/8 in. (94.2 cm), L. of body 23 7/8 in. (60.5 cm), Max. W. 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm), Max. D. 1 7/8 in. (4.7 cm), L. of pegs 5 7/8 in. (15 cm), Vibrating L. of strings 28 1/2 in. (72.4 cm)
    The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889 (89.4.52)

    The term pipa has been known since the third century B.C. It originally described the playing motion of the right hand—pi, "to play forward" (left), and pa, "to play backward" (right). In addition to its use in the opera and in storytelling ensembles, the pipa has a solo repertoire of highly programmatic, virtuosic music.

    Related

    Index Terms

    Artist

    Material and Technique

    Object

    Subject Matter/Theme

    Technical Glossary


    On view: Gallery 681
    MoveSeparatorPrint
    Close
    Pipa, 19th century
    Made by Jiu-cheng (Chinese, 19th century)
    Guangzhou (Canton), China
    Wood, ivory, bone, gut

    L. 37 1/8 in. (94.2 cm), L. of body 23 7/8 in. (60.5 cm), Max. W. 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm), Max. D. 1 7/8 in. (4.7 cm), L. of pegs 5 7/8 in. (15 cm), Vibrating L. of strings 28 1/2 in. (72.4 cm)
    The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889 (89.4.52)


    Move
    Close
    fullMultimediaText