J.E. Dallas 5 String Zither Banjo, c. 1900, made in London, England, natural varnish finish, maple rim with aluminum caps, curly maple and rosewood neck.
An extremely fancy and beautiful English zither banjo marked "J. E. Dallas, Maker, 415 Strand WC". John E. Dallas' London firm would later become one of England's biggest music companies, eventually as the Dallas/Arbiter empire, but began as a highly successful banjo maker. This instrument is a spectacular example of their finer work.
The entire banjo is very finely made of the highest grade materials, with many decorative touches. The inner rim which fits inside the resonator is gold-plated with each top-tension nut being surmounted by a fleur-de-lis shape. The curly maple resonator rim is edged in aluminum which is elaborately hand engraved with several patterns; there is also a round engraved aluminum disc in the center back, the wooden parts of which sport a fancy birdseye figure.
The neck is multi-laminate curly maple, rosewood and ebony, with several layers in each direction. The carved heel area has an elaborate floral design on either side. The heavy ebony fingerboard has fancy shaped engraved pearl inlays. The open gear tuners are gold-plated with pearl buttons and engraving and carry a J. E. Dallas stamp. As is usual for zither banjos, the headstock carries six pegs and the fifth string runs through a tunnel in the fingerboard to the headstock.
This instrument was made sometime after Dallas moved to 415 Strand in 1893, and before his company became "J. E. Dallas & Sons" around 1906, moving to High Holborn in 1914. The zither banjo was very much in favor in England at the time, but was and remains little known in America. This J. E. Dallas banjo is certainly in the same league of craftsmanship as contemporary banjos from the USA such as the Fairbanks, Cole's Eclipse, and Orpheum, although with a dissimilar sound due to the very different construction of the smaller resonated rim. It is certainly worthy of appreciation by the banjo enthusiast and would make a fine addition to any collection.
Overall length is 37 1/4 in. (94.6 cm.), 11 3/8 in. (28.9 cm.) diameter resonator, and 2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 7/8 in. (660 mm.).
Very fine condition overall, almost no wear anywhere. Plays and sounds excellent. Excellent + Condition.
