Tunbridge ware banjo collection

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. Other collections. Click on link to view

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.

More Tunbridge ware banjos in the collection

Circa 1860

Example with machine tuners. Later 19th century 1870s 80s

A very rare 8 string Tunbridge ware banjo Circa 1870(two on the side) 

Two more piccolo banjos