Tradition of Carriages
The History of Horse-Drawn Carriages
The concept of carriages has been known since ancient times, although the earliest carriages were very different from the elegant ones of later eras. In ancient Greece and Rome, chariots—light, two-wheeled vehicles drawn by horses—were mainly used for races and military ceremonies. These vehicles were simple constructions consisting of a wheeled platform, but their development in antiquity significantly influenced later horse-drawn carriages.
During the Middle Ages, when castles and knights reigned, horse-drawn transport served more military and commercial functions. A typical medieval carriage was heavy, wooden, and often cumbersome, used mainly for transporting goods or as a chariot. In this period, horses were symbols of prestige, but traveling by carriage was uncomfortable and only the wealthy could afford it.
**The Beginning of the Modern Carriage (16th Century)**
It was not until the Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries that horse-drawn carriages began to take on more elegant forms. Technological advancements, urbanization, and increased transportation needs made horse-drawn carriages more sophisticated and accessible to the elite. Later, more ornate vehicles were produced, serving not only as a means of transport but also as a symbol of social status.
The first court carriages appeared in the 16th century. These were large, luxuriously decorated, enclosed carriages used by the nobility and the royal family. These carriages were often hand-carved, with their doors and sides adorned with gold and silver fittings and ornaments. Their construction was more refined, and they were equipped with suspension and comfortable seats, significantly increasing travel comfort.
**The Golden Age of Horse-Drawn Carriages (17th-18th Century)**
In the 17th and 18th centuries, horse-drawn carriages experienced their golden age in Europe. At royal courts in France, England, Spain, and other countries, carriages were richly decorated and often used for parades and grand ceremonies. They were equipped with leather cushions, making travel more comfortable than before.
In the 18th century, carriages also began to serve practical functions in cities. More common carriages appeared, used for everyday transportation. A famous example from this period is the French fiacre, a light carriage mainly used for transporting people in cities. Similar vehicles, such as Polish horse-drawn carriages and London hansom cabs, also appeared in other European cities.
**Technological Innovations (19th Century)**
The 19th century was a period of industrial and technological development that changed the construction of horse-drawn carriages. The introduction of new materials, such as steel and high-quality wood, allowed for the construction of lighter, stronger, and faster carriages. The development of railways and later motor vehicles significantly changed transportation needs, but horse-drawn carriages still existed, especially in cities and among the nobility. The phaeton, a light, open carriage, became popular in the 19th century as a means of entertainment. Phaeton carriages were valued for fast rides in parks, especially in England and France.
The elegant and open Victorian carriage became popular among the aristocracy as a promenade carriage. Meanwhile, in urban areas, specialized carriages for the masses were developed, such as horse-drawn omnibuses (large carriages that could carry a dozen or more people at once). London and Paris were pioneers in the development of urban public transport during this period.
The One-Way Fare (London, circa 1875)
A gentleman leans into a horse-cab and asks the cabman:
“Could you take me to the cemetery?”
The cabman nods and replies without missing a beat:
“One-way, sir… or shall I wait?”
**The End of the Carriage Era – The Advent of the Automobile (20th Century)**
The 20th century witnessed the automotive revolution and the gradual disappearance of horse-drawn carriages from European roads. With the invention and mass production of cars by inventors like Karl Benz and Henry Ford, horse-drawn carriages began to lose their significance as an important means of transport. However, horse-drawn carriages did not disappear completely. In many regions, horse-drawn carriages were used for special occasions, such as weddings, state ceremonies, and shows. Even in agriculture and rural areas, horse-drawn wagons were used to transport goods until they were eventually replaced by motor vehicles.
**Horse-Drawn Carriages in Modern Culture – A Return to Tradition**
Although horse-drawn carriages no longer serve their former role as a daily mode of transportation, they still maintain a significant place in European culture. In many countries, especially in Western and Central Europe, carriages are used for traditional weddings, historical reenactments, and sports like carriage racing.
Modern carriages are often inspired by classic designs but are updated with contemporary materials and technology. This is why our company specializes in the production and restoration of vintage carriages, preserving this important cultural heritage.
New Rides – New Carriages (24.10.2024)
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, carriages were primarily used for travel and as symbols of prestige by the narrow elite of society. Closed carriages, especially those with „C”-suspension and Berlin carriages, known for their sturdy construction and long chassis, were particularly suited for this purpose. These vehicles effectively absorbed shocks from the often poor road conditions.
In the first half of the 19th century, alongside the nobility, a new social class began to emerge – the bourgeoisie. As the bourgeoisie accumulated wealth, new markets for luxury goods, including carriages, were created. More people than ever before could now afford such luxury. After Vienna became the site of major conferences in 1814-1815, these congresses marked the beginning of the glorious era of luxurious carriages.
For a decade in the 19th century, the so-called „Viennese calèche” became the epitome of new elegance. Increasingly specialized craftsmen refined the production of carriages, introducing numerous innovations. Around 1820, London saw the introduction of new carriages with better proportions, particularly in the wheels and the deeper suspension of the body. Four key technical innovations, initiated in England, significantly influenced carriage design across Europe.
New carriage manufacturers began mass-producing vehicles to a high standard, offering a broader range of models than ever before. The 19th century can thus be described as the golden age of luxury carriages, both in terms of quantity and quality. By 1830, Vienna boasted over 4,500 royal carriages and more than 1,000 rental carriages. In Paris, the number had risen to 15,000, not counting cabriolets, rental carriages, and various types of horse-drawn carriages. At the time, „many existing carriages and other vehicles” were available in manufacturers’ depots, ready for sale. This era was marked by a nearly boundless optimism and belief in progress.
J.C. Ginzrot, a carriage builder, wrote in 1830 about the rise of luxury vehicles and the belief in progress in the 19th century: „The spirit of invention is inexhaustible; it knows how to meet every need and comfort of life.”
England’s Advantage
As mentioned earlier, from the 18th to the 19th century, England was a leading nation in many fields, including the carriage and horse sectors. In England, the lightweight coupé model, known as the Brougham, was introduced, and the Landauer carriage was improved. These new models largely replaced the heavier and more expensive city carriages used for daily urban transport. Additionally, more and more self-propelled vehicles, particularly lightweight two-wheeled ones, began to appear. This marked the beginning of the era of the „middle-class” carriage.
Innovations from England quickly spread to the European continent via the English Channel. Not only did the quality and innovations from the UK set the standard, but so did the lifestyle of the upper class there. Carriages-designed „à l’anglaise” became a hallmark of luxury across the continent.
Railways and Industry (20.12.2024)
After 1820, railway construction began, sparking an unprecedented building boom that extended into the late 19th century. The introduction of this new mode of transportation revolutionized nearly every aspect of social and daily life and reshaped settlement patterns. Around 1830, postal stagecoaches in Germany transported approximately one million passengers annually. By contrast, just eighty years later, railways were already carrying a staggering 1.744 billion passengers!
This transformative means of transport also spurred road development, as the construction of numerous local roads and new access routes to railway stations became necessary.
An economy driven by natural resources and basic needs gave way to increasing mobility and the growing transport of goods and money. A new class of industrial entrepreneurs emerged, setting the pace for economic progress. These industrial enterprises gradually intertwined with the urban landowning aristocracy and the upper echelons of state bureaucracy, forming powerful alliances.
In the first half of the 19th century, England led the way in industrialization. The steam engine was invented there, and railway construction advanced rapidly. England was also home to the production of the highest-quality steel, and its groundbreaking inventions set the standard for innovation across Europe.
Carriage Construction and the Development of Transport
In the first half of the 19th century, railroads swiftly led to the decline of long-distance postal routes serviced by horse-drawn carriages. By 1844, large mail coaches in England were already considered „relics of a bygone era.” The sudden drop in demand for such vehicles significantly impacted carriage-making workshops, which were often scattered across rural regions.
As orders dwindled, many carriage builders were forced to close by around 1850. However, some adapted by shifting their focus to the production of luxury carriages, which found eager buyers, particularly in major cities.
Throughout the 19th century, Europe’s railway network underwent constant expansion and densification. Toward the century’s end, many new branch lines, known as „suburban railways,” were constructed. This development shifted medium-distance travel increasingly toward this modern form of transportation.
Despite these advances, urban areas continued to see growth in horse-carriage-based transport, even as public transit systems such as omnibuses, trams, and underground railways began to take shape. In London, the first underground railway line opened as early as 1863, marking a milestone in the modernization of urban transport.
Faster Travel – Lighter Carriages in the Mid-19th Century (07.05.2025)
By the mid-19th century, the popular motto „time is money” had spread from England and begun to shape travel habits as well. Road journeys were becoming increasingly swift. Carriages were no longer primarily used for long-distance travel; instead, they were increasingly employed for shorter trips—within cities, to country estates, and around urban outskirts—often at a brisk trot. This period also saw the emergence of lighter vehicles fitted with simpler spring suspensions, which made it possible to construct more agile front axles. (The traditional design, in which the front and rear axles were connected by a rigid longitudinal perch that restricted the turning radius of the front wheels—or allowed only minimal movement—was becoming less common.)
The shift toward a self-supporting body was seen by traditional coachbuilders as almost heretical. A statement by Mr. Kesterton of Holland & Holland, based on Oxford Street in London, refers to the construction of coaches without the conventional perch:
“A coach without a perch is no coach at all—only a four-wheel carriage.”
The introduction of lighter suspension systems using springs was made feasible by improvements in road quality. From the mid-century onward, this condition was increasingly met, especially in cities and their immediate surroundings. On these new roads, the traffic of luxury carriages steadily expanded. By around 1850, the model range of such carriages had become largely standardized. One of the era’s top-selling designs was the coupé, produced in various forms (also known as the brougham or clarence), which continued to be manufactured in its classic style for decades.
The coupé was the vehicle of choice among the courtesans of Paris. Around 1845, one such figure was Marguerite, the mistress made famous by Alexandre Dumas fils:
“I remember encountering her very often on the Champs-Élysées, where she appeared at the same hour each day in a small blue coupé drawn by two splendid chestnut horses. (…)
She always rode alone along the Champs-Élysées in her carriage, in which she remained nearly hidden—wrapped in a large cashmere shawl and dressed in the most understated of garments…
She did not stroll the avenue from the Rond-Point to the Arc de Triomphe and back again, as her peers did—or still do. Her horses would swiftly carry her to the Bois [de Boulogne]. There, she would step out of the carriage, take an hour-long walk, then return to her coupé and be driven home at a sharp trot.”
Queen Victoria and the Runaway Carriage (Windsor, ca. 1863)
During one of her afternoon drives near Windsor Castle, Queen Victoria’s horses suddenly bolted—without warning and without a coachman. The royal carriage, with Her Majesty inside, tore across the lawns like something straight out of the underworld. The royal guard launched into a frantic chase.
After some 200 meters, a footman managed to leap forward and bring the horses to a halt. Silence fell. The Queen stepped out slowly, dusted off her gown, looked around at the assembled men, and said dryly: “Thank you, gentlemen. Now kindly tell me — who gave the horses tea instead of oats?”
Carriage Rides as Part of the New “Way of Life” (02.09.2025)
By the mid-19th century, the carriage – and in particular the ladies’ carriage – was no longer seen merely as a means of transport. It increasingly became part of a new way of life, where driving was regarded as a pleasure in itself. Already in the early years of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), Sunday afternoons were described as “the great day for seeing and being seen in one’s own carriage.”
The Role of Ladies
The growing importance of luxury carriages in the 19th century was closely tied to the new role of women in social life, which had taken shape after the French Revolution. Outings in specially designed ladies’ carriages became a fashionable custom. This is well documented in contemporary publications. From as early as 1797, the illustrated Journal des Dames et des Modes was regularly published in Paris, presenting luxurious carriages for ladies – so impressive that they often became models for coachbuilders.
Carriage outings for women also developed their own rules. By the mid-19th century, an elegant English lady would drive almost daily between Easter and July, either alone or with her servants, in Hyde Park – most often along the “Ladies’ Mile” – frequently combining the ride with shopping on Regent Street. The proper time for this was in summer between 4 and 7 p.m., and in winter between 3 and 5 p.m. The most popular vehicles were closed coupés, open victorias, or mylords.
Regardless of whether it was a coupé or a victoria, the vehicle primarily served the purpose of self-presentation. It was a frame or a pedestal for its owner, as Sidney put it:
“The brougham is for the face of beauty, the victoria for the robes – a frame for one, a pedestal for the other.”
Some ladies even drove themselves, of course dressed in the most fashionable and expensive gowns. Often the lady would sit in the back while her groom drove the horse, though always keeping a respectful distance so as not to outshine her or interfere unless absolutely necessary.
Each day, some one thousand carriages would gather in Hyde Park. Strict rules applied there as well: who should greet whom, and even whether it was acceptable to interrupt a ride for a short conversation. The female elite, too, remained deliberately exclusive – at its head stood Queen Victoria and the Princess of Wales, accompanied by a very select circle of landed aristocracy, government officials, prominent artists, wealthy townspeople, and a handful of industrial barons with their wives.
To this “worldly society” (mondaines) also belonged certain courtesans of the highest rank, who likewise appeared in luxurious carriages and dressed with exceptional elegance. Among them were mistresses who had been presented with a coupé by their admirers.
Fashion, Carriages, and Rules
The open carriage was meant above all to allow its occupants to be seen – not for comfort or leisure. In the 19th century, a pale complexion was considered the height of elegance, which made wide-brimmed hats and parasols indispensable accessories for ladies. The lavish fashions of the century also had a direct impact on carriage design.
New types of victorias and ducs were built with very wide side openings, making it easier to enter while wearing the newly fashionable wide skirts, and allowing the flowing gowns to remain visible during the ride. Older models had to be adapted to accommodate the crinoline, and from around 1850 doors were no longer hinged at the front but at the rear.
This innovation quickly gained popularity – in the age of the crinoline, entering a carriage through the front doors had become almost impossible, and a lady risked soiling her gown on the step or the rear of the vehicle.
“In the 19th century, ladies used to step into carriages wearing wide crinolines.
They say many of them couldn’t even fit through the doors – which is why rear-entry carriages were invented…
And the horses still joke that it was the only time in history when humans had wider hips than they did.”