This page is part of a collection of instruments for reference and interest. For items to purchase see the links at the bottom of the page. Thank you

On-line museum. to other collections. 

This is a rare collection of 11 Tunbridge ware banjos. They are all fretless examples dating from 1850 to 1870s and probably made in the same workshop. They are all 6 or 7 string instruments, 3 of which are piccolo banjos . 

Click on the smaller pictures to enlarge.

Tunbridge ware was made in workshops in and around Tunbridge Wells, nearby hamlets and Tonbridge , Kent, UK. 17th to 19th centuries. Consisting of inlaid  woods (like mosaic but very fine work) as pictures or geometric patterns on all sorts of wooden objects, like boxes, paper knives pencils and writing slopes, it was general sold to visitors to the  spa or wells of Tunbridge . Banjos were less prolific than other items.

This is part of my private collection and not really for sale. I could however be persuaded to part with some in an exchange for other rare (original) instruments on my wanted list or if a substantial offer made for an individual instrument   e.g. ....... Stroviols viola & cello,  keyed bugle, banjo-geige (fiddle), bell cittern, quinton, hurdy gurdy,  nyckelharpa, contra bass banjo, basset horn, unusual violins, etc

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