5 String Zither Banjo (maker unknown), c. early 1900's, made in England, natural lacquer finish, laminated rosewood rim and resonator back, walnut neck.
Very well built English Zither Banjo from around the turn of the last century.
Heel cap is stamped "Unwarpable Patent No. 23874". Resonator back has elaborate floral pattern marquetry. Recessed tuners with highly decorated engraved nickel plated headstock covers. The fifth string runs through the neck and is tuned at the headstock. Nickel nut fretboard decorated with mother of pearl designs in clover, cherub, feather and dot patterns. Mother of pearl dot markers on the side of the neck at each fret. Skin head, probably original, still intact.
Overall length is 36 7/16 in. (92.5 cm.), 8 1/4 in. (21 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 27 in. ( mm.).
Overall excellent. Missing one marker at the first fret.
