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Chines King

Chines King.jpg Chinese chengThumbnailsChinese pien-tchungChinese chengThumbnailsChinese pien-tchungChinese chengThumbnailsChinese pien-tchungChinese chengThumbnailsChinese pien-tchung
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According to their records, the Chinese possessed their much-esteemed king 2200 years before our Christian era, and employed it for accompanying songs of praise. It was regarded as a sacred instrument. During religious observances at the solemn moment when the king was sounded sticks of incense were burnt. It was likewise played before the emperor early in the morning when he awoke. The Chinese have long since constructed various kinds of the king, one of which is here engraved, by using different species of stones. Their most famous stone selected for this purpose is called yu. It is not only very sonorous but also beautiful in appearance. The yu is found in mountain streams and crevices of rocks. The largest specimens found measure from two to three feet in diameter, but of this size examples rarely occur. The yu is very hard and heavy. Some European mineralogists, to whom the missionaries transmitted specimens for examination, pronounce it to be a species of agate. It is found of different colours, and the Chinese appear to have preferred in different centuries particular colours for the king.

Author
Musical Instruments
Written by Carl Engel
Published in 1875
Available from gutenberg.org
Dimensions
750*572
Albums
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