Sedan chair
Unknown [name retired]
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
circa 1783 - circa 1805
Materials
Wood frame with leather panels and cloth upholstery.
Measurements
156 x 71 x 91.5cm (5ft 1 1/2in x 2ft 4in x 3ft)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1332879
Caption
After their initial life in London sedan chairs such as this one were frequently transported to provincial towns, villages, rectories, manor houses and farms. Here they were often used by the infirm or elderly. Broken or damaged parts of sedan chairs were not replaced or were repaired rather simply, as a result these repairs are often highly visible as they tend not to fit in with the initial decorative scheme. This particular sedan chair is an example of this kind of treatment.
Summary
Sedan chair built circa 1783 – 1805. Unknown builder but in the manner of Francis Jones (active 1777-1708) of London. Sedan chair of the Westminster style. Plain japanned panels which would have had a side compass ornament strip (now missing). The windows are half glass. Red cloth interior. Previously SNO.TR.183
Full description
Sedan chair of the Westminster style. Plain japanned panels which would have had a side compass ornament strip (now missing). The windows are half glass. Red cloth interior. After their initial life in London, such sedan chairs were frequently purchased previously owned for around 25-40% of their new price and transported to provincial towns, villages, rectories, manor houses and farms. Here they were often used by the infirm or elderly. Provincial craftsmen could not replace damaged ornamental parts, so originals were frequently removed or makeshift repairs were made. This is one of six arch-roof sedan chairs in the care of the National Trust.
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
Makers and roles
Unknown [name retired], builder