Sedan chair
Thomas Greaves
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
1766 - 1772
Materials
Wood frame with leather panels and wool cloth upholstery.
Measurements
1600 x 920 x 765 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Dunster Castle, Somerset
NT 725628
Caption
When a sedan chair was commisioned the patron would have a choice of whether to have glass windows or wooden panels. Wooden panels gave more privacy and would give a little more protection to the passenger. During thte 18th and 19th centuries very often people of a low class in society would throw things at a wealthy person in their sedan. They were also suseptable to being robbed. The panel in the front of this sedan has a hole in the middle allowing the passenger to look out but not be looked upon.
Summary
Sedan chair made in the manner of Thomas Greaves between 1766-1772. This ladies sedan chair is in the Westminster style with a dome head, best black leather panels and a fashionable wave to the front roof edge. This sedan is unusual for having single repousse brass to the borders together with fancy ornamentation. The interior was re-upholstered by Thomas Milburn Griffin of Westminster.
Full description
Thomas Greaves was the son or brother of Richard Greaves sedan chairmaker to Augusta Princess of Wales (1751-1758). Sedan chair in the Westminster style with a dome head sedan chair, the best black leather panels and a fashionable wave to the front roof edge. The interior was re-upholstered by Thomas Milburn Griffin of Westminster. This sedan is unusual for having single repousse brass to the borders together with fancy ornamentation. Occupants seeking both increased privacy and protection from thrown objects could specify windows of leather or wood rather than glass with curtains. From the time of George I the Westminster English sedan chair is almost unique in Europe for having sides which taper by upto 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
Commission: To build a ladies sedan chair newest fashion, best black leather, ornamentation with leaf and reed, palms with floral sprig behind and lock roof corners, wrought chased door hasp pole lugs, poles, straps.
Makers and roles
Thomas Greaves, builder