S.S. Stewart custom presentation 5-string banjo, S/N 9217, Circa 1892
This is the fanciest Stewart banjo I have ever seen. It was apparently one of a pair of instruments made for a husband and wife performing duo, but its companion has yet to be found and little else is currently known of its provenance. In addition to the incredible heel carving, marquetry inlay, engraved rim, gold plated parts, and engraved pearl inlay work on the peghead and fingerboard seen on most Stewart presentation banjos, this banjo has an inlaid ebony backstrap on the peghead (the first I've seen on a Stewart), and pearl inlay on the back of the neck. The rim is also heavily silver plated.
