Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Mu Yu

early 20th century
Not on view
The fish is a Buddhist symbol of watchfulness, reflecting a belief that the fish never sleeps. This state of wakeful awareness is reinforced by the hollow sound of the muyu, a fish-shaped slit drum used to accompany Buddhist chant. Laid flat and struck on the red circle with a mallet in measured beats, this version, from Yunnan Province, is a less abstract rendering than most temple instruments. The muyu may also be found in vocal and instrumental ensembles of Guangzhou

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Mu Yu
  • Period: Qing dynasty (1644-1911)
  • Date: early 20th century
  • Geography: Yunnan Province (south), China
  • Culture: Chinese
  • Medium: Wood, polychrome
  • Dimensions: Overall: H. 24.9 x W. 31.5 x D. 17.8cm (9 13/16 x 12 3/8 x 7in.)
  • Classification: Idiophone-Struck-slit drum
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Amati Gifts, 2006
  • Object Number: 2006.494
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Frame Drum, Wood, hide, Chinese (Uighyur)
Frame Drum
Chinese (Uighyur)
late 20th Century
Nkoko Ngombo, Wood, Yaka people
Nkoko Ngombo
Yaka people
20th century
Archer's Ring with Taoist Symbols (清 扳指), Wood, Chinese
Archer's Ring with Taoist Symbols (清 扳指)
Chinese
19th century
Manguaré, Wood, rubber beater, Native American (Bora or Huitoto)
Manguaré
Native American (Bora or Huitoto)
late 19th–early 20th century
Archer's Ring (清 扳指), Bone, Chinese
Archer's Ring (清 扳指)
Chinese
17th–19th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.