Hearse
Kay
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
1895
Materials
Glass, Metal, Rubber, Wood, Wool
Measurements
2325 x 1650 mm; 3600 mm (Length)750 kg (Wt)
Place of origin
Margate
Order this imageCollection
National Trust Carriage Museum
NT 272954
Caption
Built in the late 1800s by Kay of Margate, Kent, this hearse was owned by Partis Undertakers of Faversham, Kent, and used by them until the mid-1900s. It would usually have been driven to a pair of horses, but it could be drawn by a single horse if required, presumably for economy. The horses used for funerals were always black, and they often had black ostrich feathers on the head pieces of their bridles and on their pads.
Summary
Rubber shod, four wheeled late Victorian (circa 1895) horse drawn glass hearse built by Kay of Margate. In original condition with conjoined shafts and centre pole. In a black livery with gold lining and on elliptic springing. The body is decorated with a castellated top and a floral rose design on the glass.
Makers and roles
Kay, coach builder