Dàn tý bà; Vietnam; 19th century.

Dàn tý bà; Vietnam; 19th century.
Wood and mother of pearl.
Damaged.
Measurements: 96 x 25 x 15 cm.
The ?àn t? bà or ?àn tì bà is a traditional Vietnamese plucked string instrument derived from the Chinese pipe that first gained popularity in China before spreading throughout East Asia, finally arriving in Vietnam sometime during the Tr?n dynasty.
It is made of wood, is pear-shaped and has four nylon (formerly twisted silk) strings. The instrument is held in an almost vertical position when played and its playing technique involves frequent bending of the tones with the fingers of the left hand. The strings are plucked with a small pick similar to that of a guitar, but larger. It was associated with the royal court and is still used in the ensemble performing at the Imperial Palace in Hu?
The name of the instrument is a Vietnamization of the name of the Chinese pear-shaped lute, called pipa, from which the ?àn t? bà derives.