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Mi-gyaung

late 19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681
In the ninth century, several Burmese musicians were sent to the Tang-dynasty court in China. Among the instruments they presented to the emperor were the saùng-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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Mi-gyaung
  • Date: late 19th century
  • Geography: Myanmar (formerly Burma)
  • Culture: Burmese
  • Medium: Wood, gold leaf
  • Dimensions: L: 54 in. (137.2 cm)
  • Classification: Chordophone-Zither-plucked
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.1473
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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