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Mi-gyaung

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Mi-gyaung

Date:
late 19th century
Geography:
Myanmar (formerly Burma)
Dimensions:
L. 54 in.
Classification:
Chordophone-Zither
Credit Line:
The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Accession Number:
89.4.1473

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 681

  • Description

    In the 9th century several Burmese musicians were sent to the T'ang dynasty court. Among the instruments they presented to the emperor were the saung-gauk (harp), klene (mouth organ) and mi-gyaung, all chamber instruments. Mi-gyaung, means " crocodile-zither" in Burmese. Similar box zithers exist throughout Southeast Asia and, although the shape is not maintained, the reptilian name persists as chakhe in Thailand or kacapi in Indonesia and the Philippines.

  • References

    Catalogue of the Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments: Asia, Gallery 27. 2. Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 1903, vol. II, pg. 55.

    Catalogue of the Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments: Gallery 27. 1. Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 1901, vol. I, pg. 55.



  • See also
    What
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    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
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