Images from The Beede Gallery Sanxian, China, ca. 1850 Click on images below to see larger images NMM 1432. Sanxian, China, ca. 1850. Long-necked lute. Three strings. Bent, wooden neck; resonator covered with python skin. Carved ivory tailpiece. Peghead plaque depicts garden scene. Hand-carved bat effigies on peghead and endpiece. Many cultures in Southeast Asia regard the bat as a harbinger of good luck. Floral, mother-of-pearl inlay on neck and resonator. The sanxian’s use in accompanying narrative song and as a low voice in ensemble playing has guaranteed its role in Chinese music tradition. Rawlins Fund, 1976. Front, Back, Sides, and Bottom of Resonator Bottom of Resonator and Endpiece Tailpiece Pegbox   Click arrow to continue Beede Gallery Tour Go to Beede Gallery Tour Index Go to Virtual Gallery Tour Index Go to Annotated Checklist of Musical Instruments From East Asia on Display at the NMM National Music Museum The University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD   57069 ©National Music Museum, 2007 Most recent update:   December 5, 2007 You are the 462nd visitor to this page since November 30, 2007. The University of South Dakota Return to Top of Page