Britzschka

This is a type of travelling carriage that originated in Eastern Europe. It first attracted attention in England when English delegates attended the Congress of Vienna in 1814, which resulted in some London coach builders, notably Hobson & Co. of Long Acre, building their own. The most attractive feature of the carriages was that it allowed passengers to recline full length during long journeys, and the hood could be raised in bad weather. Used mostly by the wealthy travelling to Europe on the Grand Tour or by government officials. A distinguishing feature is the straight lower line and the double carved lines (ogee curves) at either end of the body.

The example in the Streetlife collection is dated to 1820 and was used by the Sykes family of Sledmere, East Yorkshire.