Sedan chair
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
1755 - 1762
Materials
Wood frame with leather panels and wool cloth upholstery.
Measurements
158 x 94n x 76cm (5ft 2 1/4in x 3ft 1in x 2ft 6in)
Order this imageCollection
Packwood House, Warwickshire
NT 557686
Caption
Westminster chairs were designed with a hinged roof so that the ladies could get in and out without damaging their fashionable very tall hairstyles. This chair was possibly made by one of the most highly regarded sedan chair makers of the mid 18th century. Samuel Vaughan 1753-1781, chair maker to King George II.
Summary
Sedan chair possibly built by Samuel Vaughan (1753-1781), chair maker to King George II, between 1755 and 1762. Sedan chair of the Westminster style with a domed roof. The sedan chair has panels of the best quality leather with stamped brass ornamentation and an interior upholstered with white woollen cloth. It is said (unconfirmed) that this sedan chair once resided in a house of a reputable lady whose Midland home was taken over by the National Coal Board in the 1950’s.
Full description
Sedan chair of the Westminster style with a domed roof and upholstered in fine white woollen cloth. The sedan chair has panels of the best quality leather with stamped brass ornamentation and is in the fashion of Samuel Vaughan 1753-1781, chair maker to His Majesty George II. It is said (unconfirmed) that this sedan chair once resided in a house of a reputable lady whose Midland home was taken over by the National Coal Board in the 1950’s. The young Samuel Vaughan, who succeeded to his late father’s business on 25th January 1753 at the age of 21, appears to have been instrumental in distinguishing between sedan chairs built for ladies (approx 70%) and those built for gentlemen. Ladies sedan chairs thereafter having predominantly white interiors as standard specification. Ladies sedans were also fitted with a door pocket. 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 of 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
The order for this sedan chair was: To build a ladies sedan chair, best black leather & iron work and ornamented with French pattern brass work, wrought door hasp and chased pole lugs, lock roof corners with top hooks, corner flower mitres and flower sprig to rear. The inside lin’s with fine white cloth with door pocket. Carpet, tassels, poles and straps. Price c.£38 guineas.