Sleigh

Details

Descriptive Terms

sleighs
painting (coating)
poplar (wood)
ash (wood)
chestnut (wood)
wrought iron (iron alloy)
Sleigh
Sleigh

Label

"Cherished Possessions": This sleigh, with its sleek lines and expensive paint job, was the equivalent of a sporty red convertible-the fun vehicle in Richard Tucker's carriage house in Wiscasset, Maine. Today snow-covered roads require slower speeds and increased caution, but in the nineteenth century winter snow made travel easier. In all other seasons, rocky, rutted roads made for jolting travel by carriage, but in winter snowy roads were packed by rollers, which allowed sleighs on their runners to glide smoothly and silently. To avoid accidents, drivers had to add bells to their horses' harnesses. The ringing bells beckoned people outside and added to the joy of the season.
This black, four-passenger sleigh has gilt striping throughout and interior upholstery made of two different designs of ingrain carpet. One of several conveyances in the collection at Castle Tucker, this beautiful sleigh carried the Tuckers in style to numerous parties and social gatherings. Contrary to what we might think today, winter was a premiere social season for Mainers in the nineteenth century. The Tucker letters contain many references to parties and outings with friends in the winter.

Inscription

No inscription recorded on worksheet.

Associated Building

Original to Castle Tucker (Wiscasset, Me.),

People and Organizations

Dennett & Potter

Maker

Dennett & Potter (Maker)

Dimensions

39 x 48 (HxW) (inches)

Credit Line

Gift of Miss Jane S. Tucker

Accession Number

1998.2483

Places