Jiuxiao Huanpei Guqin – Replica of the Tang Dynasty Imperial Qin from the Palace Museum

Jiuxiao Huanpei Guqin · Museum-Grade Replica of the Tang Dynasty Imperial Qin

The Most Valuable Guqin in History

The original Jiuxiao Huanpei (九霄環佩) is widely regarded as the greatest guqin ever made — and one of the most precious musical instruments in human history. Crafted during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) by the legendary Lei family of Sichuan (雷氏), master luthiers whose instruments were revered by emperors and scholars alike, it has been called 天下第一琴 — the finest qin under heaven. Its paulownia wood soundboard and catalpa wood base carry an inner chamber inscription of its name, alongside the seals Bauhan (包含, "containing all things") and Taigu (太古, "primordial antiquity"). Its tone has been described by generations of qin masters as incomparably deep, resonant, and otherworldly.

Touched by the Greatest Minds of the Song Dynasty

On the base of this qin are inscribed the signatures and personal seals of Su Dongpo (苏东坡, Su Shi) and Huang Tingjian (黄庭坚) — two of the greatest literary figures in Chinese history. These were not mere admirers. They owned this qin. They played it. To trace the lineage of this instrument is to walk through over a thousand years of Chinese civilization — from the imperial workshops of the Tang, through the studies of the Song's greatest poets, to the vaults of the Palace Museum today.

Today the original rests in the Palace Museum (故宫博物院) in Beijing, valued at approximately 400 million RMB (¥400,000,000), classified as a nationally protected immovable cultural relic. It cannot be sold. It cannot be moved. It will never leave the museum. The original belongs to history itself.

An Unreachable Original. A Rare Replica.

You will never own the original Jiuxiao Huanpei. No one will. But you can own its replica — and in doing so, you surpass countless collectors who will spend their entire lives never coming this close. This is an instrument worthy of being passed down through generations — a piece of history that can live in your home, in your hands, and in your family's story.

Even if you have never played a note in your life, hanging one of these 1:1 replica guqin in your living room, study, or bedroom elevates the entire space — much like a museum-quality oil painting, it speaks of taste, culture, and a life lived with intention.

What's Included

• Guqin – handcrafted to exact specifications of the original
• Silk Qin Bag (琴囊) – traditional fabric pouch for elegant storage and transport
• Impact-Resistant Qin Case (抗冲击琴盒) – hard-shell protective case for safe shipping and travel
• Decorative Tassel (流苏) – hand-tied silk tassel in the classical style

Faithful Replica Details

• Form (琴型) – exact proportions and curvature of the original Tang instrument
• Color (颜色) – lacquer finish replicating the deep, aged tones of the original
• Crackle Pattern (断纹) – hand-applied to replicate the natural cracking of thousand-year-old lacquer
• Inscriptions (刻字) – all markings faithfully reproduced, including the inner chamber inscription, seals, and the signatures of Su Dongpo and Huang Tingjian on the base

Specifications

• Length: 49.2 in (125 cm)
• Width: 8.3 in (21 cm)
• Thickness: 4.3 in (11 cm)
• Weight: 7.1 lb (3.2 kg)

An heirloom for the ages. Suitable for master players, serious collectors, and those who understand that some things are made to outlast a lifetime.

→ Read the full story of Jiuxiao Huanpei — The Most Precious Guqin in History