Spider phaeton
Barker and Co.
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
Unknown
Materials
Painted wood body with leather hood, cord upholstery and four rubber shod wheels.
Measurements
243 x 254 x 146cm (7ft 11 3/4in x 8ft 4in x 4ft 9 1/2in)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Belton House, Lincolnshire
NT 433847
Caption
The Spider Phaeton became the carriage for a fashionable young man to drive around town towards the end of the 19th century. They are light and elegant and the skeletal construction of the body shows that they were never intended for serious purposes such as making long journeys or carrying luggage, hence the name ”spider”. They were ideal for showing off a pair of light, spirited horses and could also be used with a single horse, but to less effect. This carriage was built by one of the best coachbuilders, Barker & Co of London.
Summary
Spider Phaeton built by Barker and Company, London. Spider Phaeton (four wheels) for a pair of horses. The two-seat cut-under body has a convex back panel and curved front pillars sprung on side springs. Behind the leather hood is a single groom’s seat, with a single seat rail. Upholstered in Bedford cord. Painted in a livery of dark blue with yellow lining.
Full description
The Spider Phaeton became the carriage for a fashionable young man to drive around town towards the end of the 19th century. They are light and elegant and the skeletal construction of the body shows that they were never intended for serious purposes such as making long journeys or carrying luggage, hence the name ”spider”. They were ideal for showing off a pair of light, spirited horses and could also be used with a single horse, but to less effect. The body is suspended on elliptic springs in front and side springs behind. The name ‘Phaeton’ is derived from Greek mythology. Phaeton, the son of Helios the Sun God, drove his father’s chariot. The horses bolted and almost set fire to the Earth before they were stopped. At the end of the 18th century excessively high phaetons were fashionable but, by the time spider phaetons were popular, lower, safer, and more practical carriages had been developed. This Spider Phaeton was built by the premier coachbuilder Baker & Co of Chandos Street, London.
Marks and inscriptions
On the plates of the front nearside wheel stock.: BARKER & Co. CHANDOS St. On the plate of the front offside wheel stock. : BARKER & Co. CHANDOS St. On the plate of the rear nearside wheel stock.: BARKER & Co. CHANDOS St. On the plate of the left offside wheel stock.: BARKER & Co. CHANDOS St.
Makers and roles
Barker and Co., coach builder