Sedan chair
Griffin & Co.
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
1816 - 1819
Materials
Wood frame with leather panels, glass windows and wool cloth upholstery.
Measurements
160 x 78 x 93 cm (5ft 3in x 2ft 6 3/4in x 3ft 2/3in)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
NT 355395.1
Caption
Sedan chairs built in the Westminster style were most popular during the early 19th century. They tapered slightly towards the roof, enabling the poles to be the same width as the top. This meant that the chairmen could pass through narrow lanes and doorways without damaging the chair or grazing their knuckles. This particular sedan chair was made for a lady as it is upholstered in white silk which was the favoured colour for a ladies' sedan.
Summary
A sedan chair with japanned leather panels with gilt brass mouldings. With a slightly domed top with wing finials and four loops at the corners, the back ones missing, for the hanging of tassels. The compartment has a large front window and two smaller side windows, all with sliding panes of glass with tasselled window pulls of silk webbing with ivory toggles. There is a pocket inside the door. The interior is upholsterd in white woollen cloth. From the third quarter of the 18th Century.
Full description
A ladies Westminster arch-roof sedan chair with black japanned neats leather panels and a white woollen cloth quilted interior. The body of the sedan chair is further embellished with gilt brass decoration. From the time of George I the Westminster English sedan chair is almost unique in Europe for having sides which taper by up to two inches. This design allows rainwater running off the roof to miss the window apertures. It also makes life easier for the rear chairman when negotiating narrow doorways as the roof (instead of the pole lugs) becomes the widest part of the sedan.
Provenance
Part of the Lothian Collection. The Hall and contents were bequeathed to the National Trust in 1940 by Philip, 11th Marquess of Lothian (1882-1940).
Marks and inscriptions
On nearside side panel.: "CH" - ( possibly for Caroline Horbord). On offside side panel.: "CH" - ( possibly for Caroline Horbord).
Makers and roles
Griffin & Co., builder