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5-string Banjo

ca 1880-1890
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681
Noted Boston makers Albert C. Fairbanks and William A. Cole formed a partnership that lasted from 1880 until 1890. The pair produced this high-grade model banjo featuring elaborate ivory tuning pegs, a matching tailpiece, and small mother-of-pearl square inlaid in geometric patterns.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: 5-string Banjo
  • Maker: Fairbanks & Cole
  • Date: ca 1880-1890
  • Geography: United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Calfskin head, various woods (including ebony), metal hardware, mother of pearl and abalone inlays, gut strings, ivory tuners, ivory nut, ivory tailpiece and ivory flush frets
  • Dimensions: 38” L x 2-1/4” D x 12” diameter
  • Classification: Musical instruments
  • Object Number: 2026.448.3
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

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Baystate Presentation Banjo, John C. Haynes & Co. American, Calfskin head, various woods (including ebony), metal hardware and cladding over rim, mother of pearl and abalone inlays, nylon strings, metal tuning pegs with ivoroid buttons, ivory fingerboard binding and ivory nut, American
Baystate Presentation Banjo
John C. Haynes & Co.
ca. 1890-1895
Ennanga, Ganda, Wood, vegetal fiber, snake skin, hide, Ganda people
Ennanga
Culture Ganda
19th century
“Eclipse 4000” model banjo, William A. Cole American, Calfskin head, various woods (including ebony), metal hardware, mother of pearl and abalone inlays, gut strings, ivory tuners, ivory tailpiece and bone nut, American
“Eclipse 4000” model banjo
William A. Cole
ca. 1904-1906
Guitar, Spruce, ebony, ivory, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, brass, Italian
Guitar
Italian
ca. 1800
“Lady Stewart #3” 5-string banjo, Samuel Swain Stewart American, Calfskin head, various woods (including ebony), metal hardware and cladding over rim, mother of pearl and abalone inlays, ebony fingerboard, nylon strings, ivory tuning pegs, ivory tail piece ornament and ebony nut, American
“Lady Stewart #3” 5-string banjo
Samuel Swain Stewart
ca. 1890-1891

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