Child’s Carriage of the King of Rome, the later Duke of Reichstadt

The carriage was built in 1811/12 for the “King of Rome,” the newborn son of Napoleon and his wife Marie Louise. Rich symbolism alludes to the grand future of the young prince. The filigree coach with gilt swan-neck frame and C-springs was drawn by two specially trained Merino sheep. © Monica Kurzel-Runtscheiner, Crane Neck and Gold Crepine. Courtly Splendour and Contemporary art – a confrontation, Exhibition Catalogue, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna 2004