Carriages & Coaches: Their History & Their EvolutionStraus, Ralph
History
Carriages & Coaches: Their History & Their Evolution
Straus, Ralph
Carriages and carts
“This magnificent example of the coachbuilder’s art,” says
Sir Walter Gilbey, “is over eighteen feet long. The body is
hung upon C-springs by strong braces covered with ornamentally
stitched morocco; each brace is joined with a massive gilt
buckle with oak leaf and crown device. Between the hind
springs is a rumble for two footmen; there is no driving seat,
as the carriage is intended to be drawn only by horses ridden
postilion. The panels are painted in purple lake considerably
brighter than is usual in order to secure greater effect;
marking the contours of the body and the outlines of the
rumble are mouldings in wood carved and gilt, the design being
one of overlapping oak leaves.
“The door panels, back and front panels, bear the Royal Arms
with crown, supporters, mantle, motto, helmet, and garter.
On the lower quarter panel is the collar of the Order of the
Garter, encircling its star and surmounted by the Tudor crown.
Springing in a slow, graceful curve from the underpart of the
body over the forecarriage is a ‘splasher’ of crimson patent
leather. Ornamental brass lamps are carried in brackets at
each of the four corners of the body.
“As regards the interior of this beautiful carriage, it is
upholstered in crimson satin and laces which were woven in
Spitalfields; the hood is lined with silk, as better adapted
than satin for folding. The rumble is covered with crimson
leather. It is to be observed that with the exception of the
pine and mahogany used for the panels, English-grown wood and
English-made materials only have been used throughout.
“While less ornate than the wonderful ‘gold coach’ designed
by Sir William Chambers and Cipriani in 1761, the new state
landau, in its build, proportions, and adornment, is probably
the most graceful and regal vehicle ever built.”
[Illustration: _Dress Coach_]
[Illustration: _George V’s State Carriage_
(_From a Photograph_)]
Other English state carriages hardly less successfully designed have
been made for the Lord Mayor of London (1887), for Sir Marcus Samuel,
when holding that position in 1902-3, for the Sheriffs, and for
various Indian Princes.
Coming to less pretentious vehicles, we may briefly consider in
the first place the coach proper. At the time of Queen Victoria’s
Coronation, coaches of the old pattern were, of course, still being
constructed. There is in possession of Messrs. Holland and Holland a
mail-coach built by Waude, one of the best-known coachbuilders of that
time, which is typical of the period. This, says Mr. Charles Harper,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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