Governess car
Unknown [name retired]
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
1900 - 1910
Materials
Wood, metal and paint
Measurements
134 x 290 x 159cm (4ft 4 3/4in x 9ft 6 1/8in x 5ft 2 1/2in)
Order this imageCollection
Erddig, Wrexham
NT 1152607
Caption
These carriages were often used by a governess (hence the name), or possibly a mother, to take the children out for a drive. She would drive sitting diagonally in the back right-hand corner. Only the quietest pony, or sometimes a donkey, was suitable to be driven to a governess car, not only because of the awkward driving position, but because it was difficult to get out quickly and run to his head if she needed to.
Summary
Governess Car. A governess car built during the early 20th century by an unknown builder. The car has two wheels and would have been pulled by a single pony. The body is on elliptic springs with an angular footwell, steam bent upper panels and tip rail which is on iron supports. It has round ended panels each side and the dashboard is mounted on the draft bar. The body is painted in brown with black metal fittings, while the wheels are painted in yellow.
Full description
This particular example is a typical Governess Car with steam bent upper panels and a door at the back. They were often used by a governess (hence the name), or possibly a mother, to take the children out for a drive. She would drive sitting diagonally in the back right-hand corner. Only the quietest pony, or sometimes a donkey, was suitable to be driven to a governess car, not only because of the awkward driving position, but because it was difficult to get out quickly and run to his head if she needed to.
Provenance
Given by Philip Yorke III (1905-1978) along with the estate, house and contents to the National Trust in 1973.
Makers and roles
Unknown [name retired], coachbuilder