Cigar Box Guitar

Description:

This cigar box guitar was made by an unknown maker in North Carolina around 1875-1899. It is a four course (4x1) guitar made from a Morris & Son cigar box. Homemade instruments such as cigar box guitars and fiddles played an important part in jug bands and blues music in the late 19th century through the Great Depression.

Date Made: 1875-1899

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: North Carolina

Subject: Music

See more items in: Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments, Music & Musical Instruments, Guitars

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Charles Hallock

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: MI.096844Accession Number: 34639Catalog Number: 096844

Object Name: guitar

Physical Description: wood (overall material)Measurements: overall: 22 in x 7 1/2 in x 4 3/4 in; 55.88 cm x 19.05 cm x 12.065 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-29aa-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_605717

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.