Banjo by Samuel Swaim Stewart, circa 1890

Summary

This iconic American instrument had its roots in the stringed instruments played by free and enslaved African Americans living in colonial America. By the 1890s, the banjo was firmly ensconced into American popular culture.

This iconic American instrument had its roots in the stringed instruments played by free and enslaved African Americans living in colonial America. By the 1890s, the banjo was firmly ensconced into American popular culture.

Artifact

Banjo

Date Made

circa 1890

Greenfield Village
 On Exhibit

at Greenfield Village in Sounds of America Gallery (Foster Memorial)

Object ID

80.39.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Bird's-eye maple
German silver
Ebony (Hardwood)
Abalone shell
Ivory (Tooth component)
Metal
Plastic
Leather

Dimensions

Length: 36.614 in

Diameter: 11.024 in

Inscriptions

S.S. Stewart Phila. USA Thoroughbred/Trademark/S.S. Stewart Special Thoroughbred S.S. Stewart/Phil'a.PA. S.S. Stewart Phila. U.S.A.Pat. Jan 26 86 Grover

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