Zither (Qin), 5th century BCE, 2 3/4 x 3 5/16 x 34 1/4 in. (6.99 x 8.41 x 87 cm), Lacquer over wood core, China, 5th century BCE, Remarkable for its state of preservation and vivid colors, this rare five-stringed instrument called qin is constructed from a single piece of wood with a rectangular hole cut in the underside serving as a sound box. The important discovery of the tomb of Marquis I of Cheng (433 BCE), which yielded the massive set of sixty-five bronze bells also included two types of lacquer zithers: one version with ten strings resembled the rectangular type held by the tomb figurine shown here. The second, narrower type, is very close in form, fine decoration, and number of strings to this example.