Piccolo Banjo (maker unknown), c. 1890's, probably English, natural varnish finish, spunover rim, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard.
A very fancy and unusual fretless Piccolo 5-string banjo from the late 19th Century. Well crafted but definitely handmade, probably by an individual or small shop; this does not look like a factory-made instrument.
Unusually shaped headstock has five half-oval cutouts in the overall rectangular shape, with an ebony veneer and inlaid pearl diamond. Violin style pegs of ivory celluloid. Bone nut, ebony fingerboard with elaborate diamond and dot pearl inlay. Pearl dots inlaid on the side of the neck below the fingerboard would appear to function as fret position markers, although the inlaying is less than precise.
Four-ply thick laminated heelcap of contrasting woods. Thin spunover rim with square shoes; the metal extends about 1/4" above the wood on the inside making a sort of de facto tone ring. Hoop is hand-bent with visible overlapped seam. Interesting fluted dowel tension adjustor with standard style ebony shims. Ivory tailpiece.
Overall length is 22 1/4 in. (56.5 cm.), 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm.) diameter head, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 3/4 in. (375 mm.).
Extremely well preserved for an instrument this old. Some playing wear on back of neck; light general wear to plating and finish. Set up with an old, possibly period thin skin head and nylon strings with a low handmade bridge.
Except for two hooks and nuts this instrument appears all original, as much as it is possible to determine. Perfectly playable and very interesting example of banjo folk art. Excellent Condition.
