Single brougham
Turrill
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
1850
Materials
Painted wood body with wool cloth and morocco leather upholstery and four rubber shod wheels.
Measurements
199.5 x 321.5 x 156cm (6ft 6 1/2in x 10ft 6 1/2in x 5ft 1 1/2in)
Place of origin
Long Acre
Order this imageCollection
Wallington, Northumberland
NT 582146
Caption
The first brougham was commissioned in 1837 by Lord Brougham (1778-1868). He wanted “a refined and glorified street cab, which would make a convenient carriage for a gentleman…closed and intimate thus allowing the occupants to conduct a private conversation”. It was an instant success and became the most popular carriage for gentlemen and their families to travel about town in.
Summary
Single Brougham built by Turril of London. Single Brougham (four wheels) for a single or pair of horses. This is a conventional brougham with an angular profile sprung on elliptic springs. There is a single front window, a dropped footboard between plain brackets, a single seat rail, and a removable heel board. Staples are on the roof for a roof basket, but the basket missing. Upholstered in blue cloth on the exterior and dark blue morocco leather and blue cloth on the interior. Painted in a livery of blue with red lining.
Full description
The first brougham was commissioned in 1837 by Henry Peter Brougham (1778-1868) first Baron Brougham and Vaux, Whig politician, lawyer and Minister of State. He wanted “a refined and glorified street cab, which would make a convenient carriage for a gentleman”, unlike his usual form of transport, probably a town coach or chariot, both far larger and heavier. He designed a carriage that would be light and compact, needing just one horse and a coachman – ideal for use on busy streets. The body would be low for easy access and should carry two people and be “closed and intimate thus allowing the occupants to conduct a private conversation whilst travelling”. His ideas were rejected by his usual coachbuilder so he took them to another, Robinson & Cook, just round the corner. They agreed to build the vehicle and it was called the Brougham by his Lordship’s express permission. Lord Brougham’s brainchild was an instant success and, within a few years, broughams were being built in vast numbers wherever carriages of Western European style were used. They were particularly popular with professional and middle class families, and became the everyday carriages of the wealthy and the aristocracy.
Provenance
Gift from Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan 3rd Bt
Marks and inscriptions
On front nearside axle cap.: SOLD BY WM ANGUS SANDERSON & CO NEWCASTLE On front offside axle cap.: SOLD BY WM ANGUS SANDERSON & CO NEWCASTLE On rear nearside axle cap.: SOLD BY WM ANGUS SANDERSON & CO NEWCASTLE On rear offside axle cap.: SOLD BY WM ANGUS SANDERSON & CO NEWCASTLE
Makers and roles
Turrill , coach builder