Landaulet

Dimensions

Height: 6ft 3 ½” 

Length: 11ft 2” 

Width: 5ft 5”

Full description

A beautiful and very complete example of quite a rare carriage made by a leading coachbuilder. This carriage has the profile of a Brougham on initial appearance but with a folding leather head, which makes it a Landaulet. They were popular for use by professionals such as doctors and could be used in fine or inclement weather. Landaulets are a light weight carriage and can be pulled by a single horse or a pair of horses.

To enjoy the air, the rear leather head could be lowered and the front panels lowered into recessesin the body work.  The surrounding structure could then be folded forward over the driver’s seat to create an open carriage. It is a clever design and a successful mix of features for two different carriages, which create an elegant versatile mode of transport.

The lower profile of the body of this carriage is much the same as a Brougham with a cut under area beneath the seat and a deep foot well. Leather splash guards are fitted to each side panel. They curve gently upwards a little way beyond the back of the carriage, giving protection to the occupants when the leather head is in the down position. The doors are hung on concealed hinges and have brasssquare loop handles. A sliding window glass is in each door. At each door is astep with a semi circular tread.

To the front is a window of two lights, there are two further window lights on each side atthe front. These window lights can be removed and stowed on the seat riser just behind the coachman’s seat. The front two thirds of the roof consist of folding panels that stow away with the window panels. At the back is a folding leather head which when in the down position sits on the back of the body of the carriage.

Inside the Landaulet is upholstered in very dark brown leather, buttoned, with broadlace in the same colour with a geometric pattern. There is a fold down seat at the front enabling the carriage to seat four people. On the floor is a plain brown carpet. It is a very smart functional interior. The coachman’s seat has a full length cushion covered in brown box cloth and a sloping seat with the same covering. Around the seat is a single seat rail and a leather skirt with brass beading. The seat drop is also in brown box cloth and conceals a storage space under the seat. On each side of the footboard is a small step with a rectangular tread.

On the front of the footboard is a small leather dashboard with a leather whip holder on the offside. The lamps displayed with this carriage are made by Cowlard and Selby of London. They have square glass lights in the front and side and double circular chimneys. 

The front wheels of this Landaulet have 12 spokes and the rear have 14. They are English pattern wheels with rubber tyres on collinge patent axles. Sprung on elliptic springs at the front and back. A lever brake is fitted to the rear wheels, the handle, by the coachman’s seat, has a wood handle. A pair of shafts are displayed alongside this carriage they have brass tug stops and breeching staples.

The side. Door and rear panels are painted very dark green. The seat riser, undercarriage and wheels are painted black.

Inscriptions

On the candle holders of the lamps: COWLARD & SELBY LONDON

Condition report

A carriage in super condition and completely original. The interior is quite splendid. 

Access information

This Landaulet is in the care of the Tyrwhitt-Drake Carriage Museum

Maidstone Museum and Art Gallery

St Faith's Street, 

Maidstone 

ME14 1LH

http://museum.maidstone

Picture credit

Maidstone Museum and Bentliff Art Gallery / Amy Bracey / Robert Lovell