Carosse

The carosse (state coach) is a four wheel enclosed carriage, much in use in the 17th century. The front and hind axles are connected by one single perch. There are wooden pillars attached to the axles, from which braces extend to the coach body (which is sometimes equipped with elbow-springs). After 1700 the carosse was more and more displaced by the lighter berlin, but it was still built and used by european courts as high-class ceremonial vehicle.

Coach-Coupé

A two-seat version of the carosse (state coach). The front part of the body is cut off in such manner, that the front door pillar becomes the front corner pillar.

Calèche

"Calèche", "Kalesche", "Calash" (from french & english.: "chalice") describes various types of vehicles, usually with a body in the shape of a chalice. In 1771 Roubo calls a light open four-wheel carriage with umbrella-top "calèche". In the 19th century the term is often used for  vehicles similar to the barouche or to the victoria. Their four-seater body has usually a folding top on the back.

Coach

Ceremonial vehicle. The first coaches were used to demonstrate wealth and position of aristocracy at its highest level. The  body is suspended by leather straps or chains extended from a fixed assembly to the wheels axles.In the mid 17th century security and confort were improved. A change in the way the body was suspended occurred. The front wheels are now connected through a system called the "swan's neck". The connection of the body has suspension springs and the front part is dominated by the coachman's seat and its respective footrest and also by the so-called fifth wheel. This is a mechanism comprising two overlapping, circular pieces that increase the manoeuvring abiklity of the coach. It was used between the 15th and 18th centuries.

Carousel Sleigh

From the 17th century sleigh-rides, so-called 'sleighing days', were among the most popular winter entertainments of the European Courts. The rouling family and select members of the nobility rode out in a long procession from the residence to the most important places in the city. The gentleman who drove the carousel sleigh sat on a platform attached to the rear of the body, while the lady sat in the sleigh itself.

Clarence

An enlarged version of the brougham, having a semicircular or extended front glass and two seats inside for the accomodation of four passengers.

Chariot

English term for the french coupé. The chariot had usually a coachman´s seat with hammercloth and was attended by footmen.

Carousel Carriage

"Carousels" were an important part of court life in the 18th and 19th centuries: The ladies and gentlemen of the court danced a quadrille with horse and carriage and engaged in a contest of skill.  The carousel carriage corresponds closely to the victory carriages (‘trionfi’) often depicted in engravings of theatrical scenes from the 17th century. It is usually a four-wheel open carriage with one seat for the passenger and one for the driver.

Calash

"Calèche", "Kalesche", "Calash" (from french & english.: "chalice") describes various types of vehicles, usually with a body in the shape of a chalice. In 1771 Roubo calls a light open four-wheel carriage with umbrella-top "calèche". In the 19th century the term is often used for  vehicles similar to the barouche or to the victoria. Their four-seater body has usually a folding top on the back.

Carosse-Coupé

A two-seat version of the carosse (state coach). The front part of the body is cut off in such manner, that the front door pillar becomes the front corner pillar.

Coupé

A two-seat carriage. The front part of the body is cut off in such manner, that the front door pillar becomes the front corner pillar. There are many different types of coupés, like the berline-coupé ("berlingot"), the carosse-coupé or the landau-coupé ("landaulet").