Detail View: The AMICA Library: Tzii'edo' a 'tl (Apache Fiddle)

AMICA ID: 
MMA_.89.4.2631a,b
AMICA Library Year: 
2000
Object Type: 
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Nationality: 
North American; Native American; Apache
Creator Role: 
Maker
Creator Name-CRT: 
Made by Athabascan Family, Apache Tribe
Title: 
Tzii'edo' a 'tl (Apache Fiddle)
Title Type: 
Object name
View: 
Full View
Creation Date: 
19th century
Creation Start Date: 
1800
Creation End Date: 
1899
Materials and Techniques: 
Agave flower stalk, wood, paint, horse hair
Classification Term: 
Chordophone/bowed zither
Dimensions: 
L. 17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm); Diam. 3 1/2 in. (9 cm); Bowl L. 16 in. (40.7 cm)
AMICA Contributor: 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: 
New York, New York, USA
ID Number: 
89.4.2631 a,b
Credit Line: 
The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Rights: 
Context: 

The Apache name for this two-stringed bowed zither means 'wood that sings.' Held against the chest or stomach and bowed like European fiddles, it is used for personal enjoyment or to entertain at home with songs and dances. The hollowed agave stalk body is decorated with traditional designs, and the strings attached to the ends of the tube are of horsehair. As it is the only Native-American bowed instrument, it remains unclear as to whether it is indigenous or of European derivation.

Related Image Identifier Link: 
MMA_.mi89.4.2631.R.tif