Design for a Carriage (Chaise Italienne?) 1700 - 1800

This drawing of a carriage, or chaise italienne, was made by an anonymous artist with pen and brown ink, over graphite. The design reflects the opulent lifestyle of the elite and the critical role that fashion played in 18th-century European social life. Carriages like this were more than a means of transport. They were potent symbols of wealth and status. The intricate details seen here, such as the ornate wheels and elaborately decorated body, served to display the owner's taste and resources. The design reflects a society deeply structured by hierarchy, where even everyday objects reinforced social stratification. To understand this drawing more fully, we can turn to period sources such as fashion plates, estate inventories, and social histories. These help us to imagine the world in which a carriage like this was not just a vehicle, but a powerful statement of identity.