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State coach

Ceremonial carriage From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

State coach
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This article is about a type of coach. For other uses, see State Coach (disambiguation).

A state coach, also known as a gala coach, is a highly decorative ceremonial coach used in Europe by a monarch or head of state on state occasions. A four-wheeled vehicle for four passengers, it may be drawn at a walk by six or more horses with postilions, or be driven by two or more horses. The term is also used to indicate a formal town coach used by nobility and the wealthy for formal occasions, drawn by a pair of matching horses.[1]: 154 [2]: 101, 102 

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Northumberland State Coach (1826) for the Duke of Northumberland
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A state chariot from Hanover

A state chariot, also called a gala chariot or dress chariot, is an elaborately decorated four-wheeled vehicle for two passengers for ceremonial occasions; often the front panel is replaced by a glass panel or windscreen.[1]: 44, 154 [2]: 85  The word chariot was used in England, and coupé in France.[3]: 95 

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The first state coach was built in the mid-1500s by Walter Rippon for the State Opening of Parliament,[4]: 72 [5]: 20  and most had been built by 1840.[2]: 102  State coaches are still used for royal weddings and other state ceremonial events.[4]

State coaches were built by the best coachbuilders with excellent craftsmanship and the finest finishes. Most state coaches have large glass windows so that their passengers can be seen by spectators. The interiors are trimmed in silks and the exteriors decorated with elaborate paintings, figures, coats of arms, gilt-work, and hammercloths. The coachman and footmen wear state livery and the horses are harnessed with ornate state harness.[4]: 255–6 

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Typical grey coach horse, elaborate state harness and postilion rider wearing livery

The coachmen, footmen, and postilions on state coaches wore ornate livery to match the grandeur of the coaches themselves. ... dressed in appropriately ornate livery coats, richly embellished with gold cords and strappings, worn with silk knee breeches, silk stockings, buckled shoes, and a cocked hat.

— Thomas Ryder, Fashion on Wheels [3]: 94 

Many state coaches were constructed to be convertible. They can be driven by a coachman from a driver's seat in the front, usually covered by an elaborate hammercloth, or the seat can be removed and the carriage is guided by postilion riders and outriders. A carriage arranged for postilion may have "à la Daumont" appended to its name. "Daumont" is a corruption of the French d'Aumont from the 8th Duke of Aumont who preferred this manner of travel.[2]: 121 [1]: 62 

Early state coaches in England were drawn by cream-colored horses of Hanoverian blood. In the early 1920s they were replaced by black horses. Now, teams of grey horses are used for the Sovereign, and bay horses are used for other passengers.[4]: 97, 255–6 

Another type of state coach is the cardinal's coach, which was painted red and used by cardinals.[1]: 48 [2]: 97 

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List of state coaches

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Gallery

  • A sampling of the variety of state coaches and chariots
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    18th century Berlin from France [10]
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    1729 gala coupé, Royal House of Portugal

See also

Notes

  1. Dates may be approximate, since some of the coaches took many years to complete, and others have scant records
  2. 'State' is current owning nation-state; historical other countries may be listed under 'Notes'

References

Further reading

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