Double head fretless banjo
This extremely early banjo has a highly unusual construction, with a body that has two skin heads and metal tension adjusters, like is more typically found on a drum. Prior to the Civil War, the banjo was not standardized and each piece was made singularly, resulting in extreme variation between the rare surviving examples.
At the time this was made, the banjo was becoming popular with White musicians and audiences. The instrument has been in use within Black communities for more than a century, but in the middle of the nineteenth century, it was appropriated and became an instrument associated with minstrel music.
At the time this was made, the banjo was becoming popular with White musicians and audiences. The instrument has been in use within Black communities for more than a century, but in the middle of the nineteenth century, it was appropriated and became an instrument associated with minstrel music.
Artwork Details
- Title: Double head fretless banjo
- Date: ca.1850
- Geography: United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Various woods, metal hardware, calfskin head, calf gut strings
- Dimensions: 41 in. Length x 5 in. Depth x 14 in. Diameter
- Classification: Musical instruments
- Credit Line: Peter Szego, 2024
- Object Number: 2024.607.3a, b
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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