Royal cars in the collection of National Coach Museum
As befits a royal family, its members usually had several vehicles in the "garage" (carriage house). They were used in everyday life, but also for special occasions like weddings, coronations and important ceremonies in general. In this exhibition the National Coach Museum is presenting selected vehicles from the collection. Join us for a ride!
This 18th century (1st half) Portuguese ceremonial vehicle belonged to King João V. The King had it built for the Portuguese Royal House. During the 19th century this coach was used for the visits of foreign Chiefs of State to Portugal.
The closed body has flowing, undulating lines, a sign of the Rocaille style. The gilt, carved woodwork has been attributed to the sculptor José de Almeida (1700-1769), in collaboration with his brother Félix Vicente de Almeida, wood carver for the Royal House.
The side panels and doors have wood in a form known as bombé ("blown out"). There are heads of young women known as Espagnolettes distributed in numerous places in the woodwork and engraved bronze of the coach structure. The suspension springs are decorated with female figures ( Espagnolettes) and the rear wheels display the 12 signs of Zodiac.
The paintings on the panels of the body are attributed to José da Costa Negreiros, student of André Gonçalves or the French painter Pierre Antioine Quillard.
18th century (2nd half) Portuguese ceremonial vehicle built for King José I, exalting the strength of Royal Power, portrayed by an eagle.
The lively symbiosis of the styles of Kings Louis XIV and Louis XV highlight the decoration in an interpretation of Portuguese characteristics. The gilt and red carved woodwork is very rich in decoration and movement. Below this is a mixture of masks, volutes, Atlases, chains of flowers and fruit, winged spirits and human heads with features notably like American Indians, clearly recalling Portuguese contact with Brazil.
The new suspension system, called the "swan's neck", allows the wheels, whose diameter is less than that of earlier models, to make larger turning movements, thereby changing direction in shorter spaces. Does not have yet suspension springs.
Emperor Joseph I of Austria built this 18th century (1708) ceremonial vehicle (Austrian or Dutch) for the marriage of his sister, Maria Ana, to the King João V of Portugal. It arrived in Lisbon by sea in a fleet of 11 ships.
The coach was decorated in the French style of Louis XIV. Focal points in the carved woodwork are the royal coat of arms of Portugal and the monograms of the Queen with crowned lions, symbol of royal power, on each side.
On the angles below the body are female figures symbolizing Dignity, Affection, Sincerity and Strength.
The set of wheels is decorated in the same manner as the body with carved woodwork. The springs are covered by a gilt bronze plate engraved with statues of Abundance. The harness straps are covered with velvet and have engraved bronze buckles. The wheel spokes recall the shape of scepters.
Coach of Queen Maria Ana of Austria - the textiles conservation and restoration focused on stabilization of the roof covering elements, the belts and locking straps of the box.
