ticketsMember | Make a donation

Banjo

ca. 1890–1910
Not on view
This banjo is an example of the kind of inexpensive instrument offered by mass market retailers such as Sears and Montgomery Ward. However, it is outfitted with a tailpiece and 16 head-tightening assemblies by E. J. Cubley, a banjo maker from Ravenswood, IL. He produced high-grade Cubley-branded banjos with unique wood marquetry decoration, and banjos that were private labeled for other Chicago manufacturers and distributors such as Tonk Brothers. He was awarded five banjo-related patents between 1882 and 1889. The head-tightening hooks, nuts and brackets on this banjo are based on the design of his earliest patent, which enables the banjo head to be tightened with an ordinary slotted screwdriver instead of the commonly used "banjo wrench," which is similar to a clock key. (Peter Szego, 2020)

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Banjo
  • Date: ca. 1890–1910
  • Geography: United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Wood, parchment, metal
  • Dimensions: L: 88cm (34 5/8in.); Head Diameter ca. 28.5 cm (11 1/4 in.); String length: longest: ca. 72 cm; shortest: ca. 55.5 cm
  • Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.2851
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Tubaphone Deluxe banjo, serial no. 51577, Vega Company American, Wood, metal, bone, ivoroid, mother-of-pearl
Tubaphone Deluxe banjo, serial no. 51577
Vega Company
ca. 1924
Mandolin, Angelo Mannello American, born Italy, Spruce, tortoiseshell, ivory, nickel-silver, metal,, American
Mandolin
Angelo Mannello
ca. 1900
Charango, Marcos Manufactory, Wood (sprunce, mahagony, rosewood), armadillo shell, Mexican
Charango
Marcos Manufactory
late 19th century
Fretless tackhead banjo, Maple and various other woods, metal tacks, calfgut strings, American
Fretless tackhead banjo
American
c.1840
Courting flute (siyotanka), Red pipestone (catlinite), lead, Native-tanned leather, Native American (Sioux)
Courting flute (siyotanka)
Native American (Sioux)
ca. 1850–1900

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

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 complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.