ROAD CARRIAGE. PARIS, 1763-1765

EXPOSITION
HALL 1. RUSSIAN GOLD- AND SILVERWARE OF THE 12TH - EARLY 17TH CENTURY
HALL 2. RUSSIAN GOLD- AND SILVERWARE OF THE 17TH - EARLY 20TH CENTURY
HALL 3. EUROPEAN AND ORIENTAL CEREMONIAL ARMS AND ARMOUR OF THE 15TH - 19TH CENTURIES
HALL 4. RUSSIAN ARMS AND ARMOUR OF THE 12TH - EARLY 19TH CENTURY
HALL 5. WEST EUROPEAN SILVER OF THE 13TH - 19TH CENTURIES
HALL 6. ECCLESIASTICAL ATTIRE, PICTORIAL AND ORNAMENTAL EMBROIDERY OF THE 14TH - 18TH CENTURIES. RUSSIAN ROYAL GARMENT IN THE 16TH - EARLY 20TH CENTURY
HALL 7. ANCIENT STATE REGALIA AND CEREMONIAL ITEMS OF THE 13TH - 18TH CENTURIES
HALL 8. CEREMONIAL HORSE HARNESS OF THE 16TH - 18TH CENTURIES
HALL 9. ROYAL CARRIAGES OF THE 16TH - 18TH CENTURIES

The four-seater carriage was ordered for Empress Catherine II in Paris in 1763. Two years later it was brought to Russia and became the Empress’s favourite travelling equipage.

When creating this carriage, famous French master Breteil used all contemporary technical innovations, such as horizontal (С-type) springs, shafts and outer footboard. The equipage is performed in the Neoclassical style. It has a rather small body of the easy oval form. Painting plays the main role in the artistic decoration of the carriage. A delicate carved pattern is distinguished by its symmetry and most popular motives of the new style such as acanthus leaves, medallions and garlands. The decorations are supplemented by bronze and nacre plaques.