Vase depicting a woman playing a pipa

anonymous, c. 1700 - c. 1724

The woman depicted on this vase is playing a pipa. A legend links this instrument to Princess Liu Xijun (123?–101 BCE), whom the emperor sent off to marry the king of the Wusun. The emperor ordered a stringed instrument to be made that could be played on horseback during her long journey. Liu also wrote the earliest poem attributable to a named woman in which she describes her homesickness.

  • Artwork typevase, rolwagen
  • Object numberAK-RBK-15833-B
  • Dimensionsheight 28 cm, diameter 12 cm, diameter 9.2 cm, diameter 7.5 cm
  • Physical characteristicsporselein met bleu poudré, emailkleuren en verguldsel