A "Like-minded companion" the Chinese Guqin has its roots deep into Chinese culture - having been developed and documented well over 2000 years ago - with some folklore said to be over 5000 years old. Not seen often in the Western world, the Guqin is a solitary, quiet instrument - meant to connect the instrumentalist with the world and themselves - while also being viewed as an instrument of the elite. This example comes to us with some unknown origins. It is a fairly recent build, and spent a portion of its life being used as decoration - while still being in very good shape and able to be played. It is tuned in a C pentatonic tuning (low to high CDFGAcd) and is performed similar to a lap steel guitar or a zither, with the instrumentalist typically playing it on their lap or a table, utilizing open drone strings and higher melody. This one is constructed out of a carved wood in a deep brown finish, with pearl dot markings. A long crack is present at the base end near its tuning keys - running from the top towards its bridge, around to its back. The strings appear healthy showing almost no wear. The tuners work as they should, complete with decorative tassles. There is a Chinese carving on its bottom side. Includes simple polyfoam case.