Bath chair
Unknown
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
1890
Materials
Painted wood body with a leather hood, cord upholstery and three rubber shod wheels.
Measurements
176.5 x 207 x 103cm (5ft 9 1/2in x 6ft 9 1/2in x 3ft 4 1/2in)
Order this imageCollection
National Trust Carriage Museum
NT 272955.1
Caption
The bath chair was devised by James Heath of Bath, in about 1750 as a discreet mode of transport for ladies and invalids. It rivalled the sedan chair and ultimately superseded it as a form of conveyance. This particular vehicle was owned by Julia “Nellie” Lloyd who used it to travel around the family gardens of Coombe House, South Croydon in her later life. Mrs Lloyd was one of the founder members of the former Spastic Society, now known as Scope. It was steered by the occupant with an attendant on foot pushing from behind.
Summary
Bathchair built circa 1890. Bathchair (three wheels) propelled by an attendant. A late Victorian bathchair with rubber tyred wheels. The body is on front and rear C springs and braces. The bathchair has a folding head and an armchair style seat in upholstered in beige cotton. Painted in black livery with gold lining.
Full description
This little carriage would carry one passenger who used the tiller to steer, with an attendant on foot pushing from behind. It is on loan from the Garwood Trust and it was used by Julia ‘Nellie’ Lloyd to travel around the grounds of the family estate of Coombe House, South Croydon, from the late 1890s to her death in 1925.
Makers and roles
Unknown, coach builder