Baby Carriage
Decorative Arts and Design
MEDIUM
Wood, metal, paint, gilt, textiles, burlap
DATES
1870â1879
DIMENSIONS
43 3/4 x 23 1/4 x 50 3/4 in. (111.1 x 59.1 x 128.9 cm)
MARKINGS
Unmarked
ACCESSION NUMBER
31.255
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mrs. Walter Gibb
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
A baby carriage, the wooden frame painted throughout with gilded linear decoration on a bright red ground finished with a high-gloss. The slightly curved seat frame rests on an understructure of metal springs painted to match the red tone of the wooden frame, its exterior decorated with a colorful plaid pattern and its interior finished with black paint along its lower border. The upholstered seat set within the frame has an elaborately tufted design in wool and silk, the simple wooden footrest below laid with burlap. A metal rail runs along the upper silhouette of the chair supporting an upholstered headrest, its back painted in black, red and gold pattern in high-gloss. Two vertical openwork metal supports, decorated with a scrolling pattern, screw into the metal rail running along the chair, supporting an upholstered canopy covered in black American cloth finished with a scalloped and fringed yellow silk valance. The angle of the canopy is adjustable by means of metal knobs placed in the middle of each support. The long and curved handle terminates in a turned wood handlebar and has a reverse mechanism, allowing it to assume either a forward or backward-facing position by swinging on metal hinges and locking into a metal clasp under the seat. The carriage rests on wooden wheels with metal exterior frames, two tall wheels at back and two shorter wheels at front.
CONDITION (2013):
Overall fair condition, the wooden frame very fragile but its painted decoration in good original condition. Some paint loss on the metal rail and canopy supports. Wool and silk upholstery, as well as American cloth on canopy and burlap on footrest deteriorated.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
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