Japanese Siamisen, Kokiu, Biwa. Japanese musical instruments Lithograph c1888.

by Hipkins, Alfred James

Hipkins' Musical Instruments antique print, Japanese Samiseng & Batsi or Plectrum, Kokiu (with Long Bow), and Biwa (lute-like instrument) played with a batsi made of horn, wood and tortoise-shell or ivory.

Original colour-printed lithograph by William Gibb for “Musical Instruments - Historic, Rare and Unique” by Alfred James Hipkins (1826-1903), published in Edinburgh, circa 1888 by Adam and Charles Black. William Gibb's lithographs for Hipkins are considered to be the finest illustrations of musical instruments ever done.

This lithograph is from a decommissioned 'ex-library' book. Half-framed, mounted between antique white ragmat conservation boards, the library stamp does not obtrude. Page size: 405 x 295 mm (approximately 16 x 11.5 inches). Lithograph size: 320 x 210 mm (approx. 11.5 x 8.25 inches).