Antique Mountain Banjo

Antique Mountain Banjo (1876?)

This banjo appeared on ebay in March of 2001.
The description and some auction pictures are below:

"VERY HARD TO FIND 5 STRING ANTIQUE MOUNTAIN BANJO, CARVED NECK AND HEADSTOCK, IVORY TUNERS . HAS 1876
ENGRAVED ON THE NECK POST. SKIN HEAD. 3 PLY RESINATOR. VERY CRUDE HAND MADE INSTRUMENT IN GOOD CONDITION."

The heel carving is an amazing fantasy, beautifully executed

- + -

as is the
peghead
carving

The neck is constructed of numerous parts. The main element is the length
of neck with the carved heel. The peghead is spliced onto that and consists
of the lower section which blends into the neck and extends in front to the top
of the peg box, the two side slats that form the outsides of the slotted peg box,
and the carved upper portion which joins the peghead at the top of the peg box
and extends in back about halfway down.

The protruding 5th peg box is also separately attached to the side of the neck.

The pot is miraculously constructed of myriad rectangular rods placed side by side,
curved into a hoop and then secured inside and out with very pretty wood overlays.

	The outer overlays consist of the center portion and the upper and lower bands. - + - The tension hoop is iron.
	The inner overlay consists of 3 bands, with the 2nd and 4th rings being the exposed rectangular rods. The extra holes are evidence of earlier brackets or a change of mind by the maker.

The internal construction of the wall of the pot is more evident here:

The date, 1876, is inscribed on the top of the dowel stick in pencil:

Most unfortunately, the original fingerboard, probably fretless, has been
covered with an unfinished mahogany overlay and fretted. This was very
carefully done, but.......

The inlays are roughly inscribed crude mother of pearl.

The tailpiece attachment is probably not original. I suspect that the dowel
stick originally protruded through the center where the tail piece bolt now
sits, and has been shifted upwards to lower the action for "modern" playing.

All in all, I find it a most curious and delightful artifact. The person who
took such care and effort to construct it must have enjoyed it as evidenced
by the worn finish on the back of the neck. What lies under that thin
mahogany cover? I'd love to see the fingerboard wear corresponding
to the wear on the back!