Elegant Chariot

Description

Chariots are, generally, finished handsomer than Coaches, and form a material part in all grand processions, the elegance of them lies principally in the carved and gilt  ornaments to the carriage part, with rich and fanciful paintings to the body, and the  insides lined with velvet, and bordered with silk trimmings, tassels, &c. the value of such a  carriage can only be ascertained by the builder whose fancy ought not to be restricted, but  when limited to a certain price; the representation is rather out of the common style, and is  built on the principle of a state Carriage, but more exactly answers the description of a Chariot  for the hot countries, being light and airy for that purpose; it being represented finished in a  superior manner, does not imply a necessity for all to be so that are built for the Indies, as  they may be finished with conveniences suitable to the place, but in as plain a manner as any  other carriage, excepting only the necessity for side and back lights for the advantage of air;  from £100 to £200 for carving and gilding above what is here stated, a very elegant Carriage  may be found built. 

The Carriage is a Crane neck with double bowed Cranes, and long Sweeped fore ends to ditto, o11 which the Iron Coach-box is fixed, a raised hind end on handsome short Blocks, with foot­ man cushion plated at the top and bottom, and extra handsome carved hind standards, patent Wheels with Moulded fellies, new pattern Cylinder, Axletrees and Boxes, the Body with side Lights and a divided back Light, with plate glasses and Venetian blinds lined with Morocco, trimmed, with silk crest Lace, handsome Festoon Curtains, with side Drapery to all the Lights, a sliding seat Box, a Wilton Carpet, and Treble folding steps. The Hammer Cloth, a second cloth trimmed with a top and bottom row of narrow, and one row or broad 4-inch lace, with Silk embroidered arms in the middle, a top and bottom row of 7-inch Fringe, over which Silk Drapery in Festoons is placed, Double footman Holders of Lace 3! i11chcs wide, with handsome Tassels. The Plating with silver, a broad 5-8th moulding round the pannels, the corners, pillars and sides of the doors, a 3-8th of an inch moulding all round the door, the front and back Lights, a pair of handsome Ornamented Head Plates; the Body Loops Plated overall outside surface, the Check brace Rings, the Worm Springs, the out and inside wheel hoops and pole hook plated. The Painting has the mouldings Gilt or Silvered, and picked out three Colours, the Body is ornamented with a Border all round the Framing on the Pannels or the middling kind 5 inches wide with a large rich Mantle, with the Arms and Crest within, on the side and ends; a high varnished Body, an Oil Varnished Carriage. The Main and Check Braces with whole Buckles and a pair of Worm springs plated, a set of point strips, French Pole Pieces with plated Buckles. First charge for a crane neck post-chaise £107 2s 6d. [William Fenton, 1789]