American Five-String Fretless Banjo

Object Details

Description

This banjo was made by an unknown maker in the United States around 1880-1882. It is a Five-String Banjo with a metal covered wood hoop, twenty-four brackets, walnut fingerboard, and friction pegs. There is a medallion on the bottom of the fingerboard:

J.H.J.
NY&C

John Howard Foote (1833-1896) was a musical instrument dealer with shops in New York City and Chicago. This instrument was sold as a “Stage Banjo” (#6972).

Location

Currently not on view

Data Source

National Museum of American History

date made

1880 - 1882

Credit Line

Gift of J. Howard Foote

Physical Description

wood (hoop material)

nickel (overall material)

brass (bolts; nuts material)

walnut (neck material)

ebony (fingerboard material)

pearl (tuning pegs material)

Measurements

overall: 35 3/4 in x 11 1/2 in x 2 3/4 in; 90.805 cm x 29.21 cm x 6.985 cm

Object Name

banjo