Guqin (古琴 )
Endowed with cosmological and metaphysical significance and empowered to communicate the deepest feelings, this zither, beloved of sages and of Confucius, is the most prestigious instrument in China. Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) writers state that the qin helped to cultivate character, understand morality, supplicate gods and demons, enhance life, and enrich learning. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) literati who claimed the right to play the qin suggested that it be played outdoors in a mountain setting, a garden or a small pavilion or near an old pine tree (symbol of longevity) while burning incense perfumed the air. A serene moonlit night was considered an appropriate time for performance. Each part of the instrument is identified by an anthropomorphic or zoomorphic name and cosmology is ever present: for example, the upper board of wutong wood symbolizes heaven, the bottom board of zi wood symbolizes earth. Qins over a hundred years old are considered best, the age determined by the pattern of cracks (duanwen) in the lacquer. The 13 studs (hui) indicate finger positions. Strings of varying thicknesses are made of twisted silk.
Artwork Details
- Title: Guqin (古琴 )
- Date: 19th century
- Geography: China
- Culture: Chinese
- Medium: Wood, horn, silk, mother-of-pearl
- Dimensions: L: 122.8 cm (48-5/16 in.); W: 18.3 cm (7-3/16 in.); Depth: 10.1 cm (3-15/16 in.)
- Classification: Chordophone-Zither-plucked-long zither
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.49
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Prince Lu
1634
Chinese
late 17th–mid 18th century
Prince Lu
1634
Chinese
late 18th century
Chinese
19th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.