| Maker(s): | Brewster & Company | | Culture: | American
| | Title: | curtain rockaway
| | Date Made: | ca. 1900
| | Type: | Transportation
| | Materials: | wood, leather, glass, base metal, rattan, paint, silvered metal, rubber
| | Place Made: | United States; New York State; New York City
| | Accession Number: | HD 73.007
| | Credit Line: | Gift of Mr. & Mrs. J. William Middendorf
| | Museum Collection: | Historic Deerfield
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Description:
The Rockaway was a distinctly American type of carriage that was developed around 1840 near the town of Rockaway (located near Jamaica) Long Island. Its design evolved from the Coachee and Germantown, both of which were vernacular derivations of the coach. The Rockaway as a type distinguished by a roof that extended roof over the driver. This feature characterized the Rockaway as a democratic vehicle because it provided cover for the driver of the vehicle, whether a servant or a family member, whereas the majority of other types of "coachman," or servant-driven vehicles offered the driver no protection from the elements.
Practical, yet versatile, the Rockaway was one of the most popular forms of vehicles used for personal transportation. During the last half of the 19th century, there were numerous types of Rockaways, including those with paneled sides and open examples such as this example, which has leather curtains. Description: Extended top, open upper front panels, leather roll up curtains, rear leather with prop joint for folding, rattan (caning) top and sides) hand break, on rubber tires, large square grate steps below door, silver door handles, body black, molding and under carriage yellow single perch, suspended on front elliptic end springs front, rear double elliptic springs. On rubber tires.; Serial# 24533, Accessories: shafts (fitted for shafts and drop pole)
Subjects:
Leather; Glass Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+73.007 |
