Unmarked fretless 5-string banjo, Circa 1860

This unusual and wonderful banjo is a (sort-of) 5-string tackhead banjo with a beautifully painted head with an inscription in German which translates to, "Sublime Art - In so many grey hours in which I have been trapped by life's wild circle, you have inspired my heart to warm love.  You have brought me into a better world".  Exactly how one would tune or play this banjo is a mystery, but it is a beautiful piece of folk art.

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