
Sanxian. A three stringed long-necked spike lute with oval wooden sides, and a back and soundtable of snake-skin. The long neck is curved into the body and hollowed to form a peg-box for three pegs; terminating in a small scroll. Large conical-hexagonal peg of pale wood. Ivory tail-piece. Lacks two pegs and bridges. Two strings fragmentary. Skin on back damaged. Otherwise very good.