Zither original pen and ink and watercolour illustration by Rosie Brooks

A zither is a stringed musical instrument that is played by plucking or strumming the strings. It is believed to have originated in ancient Persia and spread to many parts of the world, including Central Europe, where it became popular in the 19th century.

A typical zither has a flat, rectangular body and a number of strings that run parallel to the body. The strings are usually stretched over a fretboard or bridge, and are either plucked or strummed with a plectrum or fingerpicks.

There are many different types of zithers, including the concert zither, which is commonly used in classical music, and the Alpine zither, which is a traditional folk instrument in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

Zithers can produce a wide range of sounds, from delicate and melodic to bold and percussive, depending on how they are played. They are often used in solo performances or as part of an ensemble, and can be found in many different styles of music, including folk, classical, and world music.