========== PRICE REDUCED BY $60 ==========ANTIQUE CHINESE PORCELAIN GUQIN
PERFECT CONDITION This is a magnificent, extremely rare, hand painted porcelain Chinese zither, or GUQIN in Chinese.
This marvelously crafted musical instrument depicts battling dragons floating over the ocean waves,
floral wreaths, and scroll work, in bright multi-colors, mostly in orange, greens, yellows,
famille verte. The Chinese calligraphy (see image) indicates it was crafted in an earlier era,
but this is a mid-19th century vintage replica of the classical instrument
played by Confucius and Li Bai.HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The guqin, a seven-stringed zither, is China\'s oldest stringed instrument, with a history of some 3000 years. Chinese music has a long history, and its essence is best expressed on the guqin. In Imperial China, a well educated scholar was expected to be skilled in four arts: the guqin, the game of go, calligraphy & painting. The guqin has been viewed as a symbol of Chinese high culture and the instrument most expressive of the essence of Chinese music. The name Guqin is said to be derived from the Chinese word qin for \"prohibit\", since its sound will \"restrain and check all evil passion\".

There is much symbology surrounding the instrument. It measures 3\' 6.5\" (Chinese feet and inches), to indicate the 365 days of the year; the upper surface is rounded, representing the sky, the bottom is flat, represents the earth. The five strings of the earliest qins symbolize the five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. When Bo Yikao, son of King Wen, first ruler of the Zhou Dynasty, (11th century BC) died, the Emperor added a sixth string to mourn his son; the sound of the sixth string is sorrowful. The seventh string was added by the second Zhou ruler, King Wu, to inspire his soldiers when his country went to war; the sound of this string is very strong.
Length: 31 inches Width: 9 inches at one end, narrowing to 6 inches at the other endWeight: 9 pounds 8 ouncesCondition: perfect; no chips, cracks, repairsUS SHIPPING: USPS Parcel Select or Priority MailINTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: USPS Priority MailShipping fee includes insuranceClick SHIPPING tab above for detailsThere have been questions about the higher international rates.
In order to include insurance on items, they must go on priority mail.
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