Banjo by Samuel Swaim Stewart, circa 1890
Add to SetSummary
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

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