Gig, United States

The gig is a one-horse, two-wheeled vehicle characterized by its light construction and capacity for rapid motion, as its reduced weight requires less exertion from the horse in draft. This 18th century American gig resembles a sophisticated riding chair, a type of single passenger vehicle favored by men. The seat, trimmed in blue wool edged in blue, red and white broad lace and narrow seaming lace, has a square back and padded armrests. It is suspended by thorough braces mounted on a fluted, curved and bent transom mounted on cantilevered wood supports. The dash is leather with silver-plated handles. The step plate is mounted well in front of the body. The axles are wooden and turned. The gear, or undercarriage, is painted a bright yellow striped in black. The seat is black and has an ogee back with scrolled terminations. There is a storage compartment, or "boot," rear of the seat which can be opened by a silver-plated knob. The floor is covered with a black oilcloth with a white cross pattern in the field and edged in a white Greek key pattern. This vehicle originally belonged to the Brinckerhoff family of Chittenango, New York.