Sociable

Description

Summary

A sociable (short for sociable coach) or barouche-sociable is an open, four -wheeled carriage described as a cross between a barouche and a victoria, having two double seats facing each other. It might be controlled from the interior by an owner-driver or have a box for a coachman. A pair of folding hoods protect the passengers. The carriage is drawn by either a single horse in shafts or a matching pair in pole gear. The Balmoral Sociable is a carriage of the Royal Mews (so named because its interior is lined with Balmoral tartan); it is still used on occasion. The Barouche-Sociable Carriage is a traditional carriage which dates back to the 1880s. This is often used in more traditional events and can be used with the canvas hoods down.  Carriages called “sociables” were made in England during the 18th century. They were open coachman-driven carriages with two seats for passengers placed across the carriage and facing each other. According to Sir Walter Gilbey in his book “Modern Carriages” (1905), Sociables began to be built again in England about 1895 as open coachman-driven carriages for ladies. In America, a sociable is sometimes called a “vis-à-vis.”

Felton’s Description

A Sociable is a Phaeton with a double or treble body and is so called from the number of persons it is meant to carry at one time. They are intended for the pleasure of gentlemen to use in parks, or on little excursions with a whole family, and are also peculiarly convenient for the conveying of servants from one residence to another. The bodies may be constructed so as to hang on the carriage of a coach or chariot, after removing its own body, and no other expense is then incurred, but that of the Sociable body itself, which may be made on a very simple plan, if for an occasional convenience it is only required; but if the carriage is built with, and only for the body, it may also be built very light and simple, although they carry many passengers; but as they are intended for country use only, and in fine weather, they need not be more heavy than a common phaeton, and a great convenience for large families may be formed at a little expense, except the duty.

The Carriage is a large Crane neck phaeton with a raised hind end on short plain Blocks, Large Fore Spring Blocks, Straked Wheels 10 and 12 spokes, common Axletrees and Boxes. The Bodies are three in number, with Drop Seat Boxes to each, a Sword Case to one, they are all built on one large bottom formed to the shape of the Crane and are in value the same as three single Tubb Bottom Chaise Bodies. The sides are Cane instead of Pannel, they are lined on the rails, with cushions on the seats, and seat falls, trimmings plain, two Oil Cloths for the bottom, a Draw Folding Step on each Side, a Square Fixed Head to the Hind End, a large Jointed Umbrella for the centre of the two Fore ones, a common Knee Flap for the Front Body, a large Knee Flap which buttons across the Four Elbows and covers the vacant space between the two bodies, the Painting picked out one colour to body and Carriage. Price £101 10s 0d. [William Felton, 1794]