Carriage Foundation
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Listed in 1 collection
Listed at 1 museum
Listed for 1 maker
Quick Details
Carriage Type
Donkey Carriage
Date of Production
early 20th century
Accession or Inventory Number
ERD/WV/62
Materials used
Paint, Wood, IronSummary of Donkey Cart
This donkey carriage is an example of an earlier carriage being reused. The undercarriage is from a late 19th century carriage such as a dog cart. A rather crude box has been attached during the early 20th century. Surviving photographs from the Erddig Estate show a pair and a team of donkey’s put to this carriage.
Such carriages were used to run errands in town and for taking rides around the country lanes.
Dimensions
Height: 4ft9 ¼”
Length: 6ft3 ½”
Width: 4ft 7”
Front Wheel Diameter: 2ft 2 ½”
Rear Wheel Diameter: 2ft 10 ½”
Full description
In appearance and quality of build this is not a particularly interesting carriage but it is made special by the fact that two photographs survive of it put to a pair and a team of donkey’s, giving it provenance and a story.
The body consists of a rectangular box made of single planks on each side. It has a metal frame work that gives the body the appearance of being made of several panels. A high single rail runs along each side. Inside are two seats running longitudinal. There is a recess at the front for the driver’s legs to sit comfortably in. At the back is a door mounted on two butt hinges. A Very large step consisting of one piece of wood is supported on iron brackets. The space between the brackets is filled with wood. On the front offside is a metal plate with the owner’s name painted on.
The undercarriage once belonged to a phaeton or a four wheeled sporting carriage. It is of a fine construction with elliptic springs at the front and back. The wheels are 10 and 12 spoke, English pattern with iron tyres on mail axles.
A rolling bar brake is fitting to the rear wheels. At some point one of the components has either been broken or the drivers preferred position in the cart has changed, and has been replaced with a longer part requiring the brake lever to be moved forwards. A pole and detachable shafts are displayed with this carriage.
The body of the Donkey Cart is varnished wood. The undercarriage and wheels are painted red with black lining. The metal work on the body is painted black.
Inscriptions
On a metal plaque: SIMON YORKE ESQ Erddig Hall WREXHAM
Condition report
This donkey carriage is an example of an earlier carriage being reused. The undercarriage is from a late 19th century carriage such as a dog cart. A rather crude box has been attached during the early 20th century. Surviving photographs from the Erddig Estate show a pair and a team of donkey’s put to this carriage.
Access information
This Donkey Carriage is in the care of The National Trust Erddig
Erddig
Wrexham
LL13 0YT
Picture credit
The National Trust / Robert Lovell / Amy Bracey