Pipa (琵琶 ) 19th century

This 19th-century Chinese pipa, a four-stringed plucked lute, is crafted from wood and features a carved dragon head at the top of the neck. The instrument's body is pear-shaped, with a smooth, polished surface, and the fretboard is inlaid with ivory. The Pipa is a popular instrument in Chinese music, and it is often used to play traditional folk music and opera. It can be heard in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.