Funeral bier
Fletcher
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
Unknown
Materials
Painted wood body with four rubber shod wheels.
Measurements
136 x 234.5 x 124cm (4ft 5 1/2in x 7ft 8 1/3in x 4ft 3/4in)
Place of origin
Derby
Order this imageCollection
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
NT 285892
Caption
Hand propelled funeral biers are usually a simple affair being locally made for the use of the village. This particular funeral bier is a little more ornate with its carved corner posts and black livery which may suggest that it started life as a hearse drawn by a single horse.
Summary
Funeral Bier built by Fletcher of Derby. Funeral Bier (four wheels) hand propelled. It is believed that this bier has been converted from a single pony hearse by removal of shafts. The bier has a flat bed with no sides, and cambered roof on turned corner posts, it is sprung on elliptic springs. The bed has brass hearse rails with fleur-de-lys finials, brass coffin rollers and brass coffin stop plates. Painted in black livery with no lining.
Full description
Hand propelled funeral biers are usually a simple affair being locally made for the use of the village. This particular funeral bier is a little more ornate with its carved corner posts and black livery which may suggest that it started life as a hearse drawn by a single horse.
Marks and inscriptions
On axle caps.: G FLETCHER & SON DERBY BUILDERS
Makers and roles
Fletcher , coach builder