19th Century Barouche Arrives (Project Start To Finish)
This photo shows the condition of our 160 year old re build project as it arrives our dock.
This rawer calash hand built in Germany in 1860 is one of a kind. It is a originial because it was built to some ones specific specifications fitted with sleigh runners for snow as well as wheels. ( our customer tells us he knows of no other any were in the world )
This Calash was probably built for a wealthy european family or royalty. Evidenced by the fact this type of carriage required a driver. The top of this carriage is hand pitched genuine leather and was hand edged in solid brass. The cushions are probably original 1860, upon our inspection they were filled with straw and horsehair. The button tuck was all hand stitched in the same manor as we upholster today at Scottsdale Art Factory using master seamstress and leather smiths.
All of the wood for the body and fenders is hand steam bent old growth lumber and hand finished ( including 5-8 coats of hand applied paint added over the original oil finish in different colors over the 160 years). Notice the sleigh runners are cut from one piece of old growth timber no joints or seams. The sleigh runners seem to be the original finish. The wheels were hand made from match grained hard wood and the forge iron was hand fitted to the expansion of the wheels.
All the wrought iron hubs and tread, iron parts,and sleigh runners
were hand forged useing the only methods avaliable at the time in 1860. A anvil, hot forge, and the arm of a master blacksmith in the same way our master blacksmiths work today at Scottsdale Art Factory. Each connecting piece, springs, axles, hubs, breaks and lanterns etc. were also hand forged in the same manor.
Proving once again that when it is built to world class quality it will always stand the test of time.
In this case even though it was not cared for for many years.
Our Motto and Promise
There was a time when master craftsmen signed their work with pride knowing each furnishing would become a cherished heirloom and antique. Scottsdale Art Factory carries on this tradition!
Coal Fired, Hammered By Master Blacksmiths “The Old Fashioned Way.”
Re Built in America by the hands of American master craftsman using only the finest natural materials. ( no casted copies or foreign sub contract )