National Coach Museum – The Royal Collection

After passing the Embassy’s coaches, you start to move into the 18th century carriages with the more comfortable berlins and others.

The second part of the new Museum included some strange and interesting carriages used by the Royal Family, including children size phaetons and cabriolets.

Royal Berlins

In Berlin, Germany, appears a new vehicle in the second half of the 17th century with a more stable suspension system which makes travel more comfortable and safe.

Berlins of the Royal House

Unknown author | Late 17th century, France

The body, set between two poles, rests on two wide leather straps which provides greater stability, making travel more comfortable. As it is higher the access is made by suspended stirrups. These berlins were commissioned in Paris by King João V and decorated with the Royal Arms.

Berlin of the Royal House (Rocaille Style)

Guillaume and Étienne Martin (Painters) | 18th century, 3rd quarter, France | Physical Dimensions: 290 cm x 218 cm x 575 cm | Wood, leather, glass, iron, velvet, silk taffeta, oakum, galloon and gold band

This berlin is decorated in rocaille style. On the doors are depicted mythological scenes and on the side panels are painted statues representing the four seasons of the year – on the right side Spring and Winter and on the left side Summer and Autumn. The technique vernis martin, oil painting and lacquering, is attributed to Guillaume and Étienne Martin, considered the best varnishers in Paris. French work. 18th Century.

Berlin of the Royal House (Acquired)

Unknown author | 18th century, France | Physical Dimensions: 274 cm x 191 cm x 520 cm; Wheels: 90/174 cm (diameter); 5.2/5.5 cm (thickness) | Wood, glass, leather, silk velvet, silk taffeta, galloon of gold

This berlin was acquired from a noble family by the Royal House, probably from the Lancastres and Meneses family because the Portuguese Royal Coat of Arms was painted over theirs. The body panels, painted in dark green, display glittery floral borders with red and golden bows. The decoration of the exterior panels in a floral border and central design is a double Royal Coat of Arms of Portugal and Spain surmounted by a Royal Crown sustained by angels.

The body decorated with the Portuguese Coat of Arms is located between two shafts and rests on two strong leather straps stretched by a rolling-up mechanism called Cric. The access is made by means of a hanging step fixed to the shaft. Over the rear wheels there is a board where the Footmen stand. Under the body there is a black leather compartment for utensils. French work. 18th Century.

Bed Berlin

Unknown author | 19th century, Portugal | Dim. 6,35 x 2,33 x 2,43 m

This quite sturdy and heavy berlin was used for long distance travelling. It has a removable top and for the occupants to rest at night, the interior seats could be folded over a frame to make a bed. The black leather compartment under the body was intended for carrying luggage. The main decorative element of this vehicle is the coat of arms of King João VI. Portuguese work. 19th Century.

Berlin of Queen Maria I

Author unknown | 19th century, Portugal | 515 x 206 x 263 cm

This small berlin has windows in the doors and in the front. The body is decorated in neoclassical style with floral motifs, pearls, fountains, amphorae and damselflies on a red background with simple gilded wood. On the doors are depicted shields with the Portuguese Royal Coat of Arms surrounded by a pearl border. The access to the interior is made by a wrought iron hanging step. Portuguese work. 19th Century.

State Carriages

State carriages were used only during royal parades and coronations.

The Crown State Carriage

Unknown author | 19th century (1824), England, London | Physical Dimensions: 270 cm x 98 cm x 456 cm Wheels: 95/144.5 cm (diameter); 6/6.3 cm (thickness) | Wood (oak, hollow), glass, silver, leather, silk taffeta, silk velvet

This Empire style state carriage was commissioned in 1824 in London for King Joáo VI by the Count of Póvoa, whom at that time was the Minister of the Treasury. The carriage has undergone adjustments for the crowning of King Carlos and was used for the last time in 1957 during Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Portugal.

As it was used for the coronation of King Carlos I, the body is decorated with the monogram of the monarch and the symbol of the House of Bragança – royal coat of arms with winged dragons.

The new suspension system consists of short leather straps and C-shaped steel springs. The coachman’s seat is very high and the roof is topped by a Royal Crown. English work. 19th Century.

State Carriage of Queen Maria II

This state carriage was commissioned for the personal use of Queen Maria II. It is a two-seater coupé with body and wheels painted in yellow. The main decorative elements are the Portuguese royal coat of arms and the Queen’s crowned monogram. The access to the interior is made by folding steps. At the rear there is a rounded box to carry weapons. It was manufactured at J. R. Pearce’s workshop, in London. English work. 19ch Century.

Porto Novo State Carriage

This carriage belonged to the 1st Viscount of Porto-Covo da Bandeira. It is a two-seater coupé with the owner’s coat of arms painted on a black background. On the suspension springs there is the manufacturer’s mark. It was built at Garrett’s workshop, in Cheltenham. English work. 19th Century.

The decoration of this vehicle stands out for the silver elements in the trim around the hood, in the lanterns and in the door handles. The coachman’s seat is elevated, which allows for a better visibility.

Modern Carriages

As Industrial Revolution arrived in the late 18th century, carriages started to resemble modern cars.

Landau of King Pedro V

Baxters & Pearce (builders) | 19th century (1834), England, London | 230 cm x 195xm x 440 cm | Wood, leather, bronze, glass

This model of carriage was originated in the city of Landau in Germany. The body, with access by hanging steps, has two folding leather hoods which allow it to be used open or closed. In the decoration stands out the coat of arms of King Pedro V flanked by ermine mantle and topped by a royal crown. It was built at Baxters & Pearce’s workshop, in London. English work. 19th Century.

Clarence (King Pedro V)

Gomes, A S. Roque, Lisboa no. 52 (builder) | 19th century, Portugal | 3,95 x 1,83 x 2,20 m

A clarence is a type of carriage that was popular in the early 19th century. It is a closed, four-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle with a projecting glass front and seats for four passengers inside. The driver sat at the front, outside the carriage. It was introduced in 1840 in London.

This vehicle owes its name to the Duke of Clarence who reigned in England under the name of King William IV (r. 1830-1837). The closed four-seater body has ten ogival windows in romantic style, four lanterns and is set on pincer springs.

The decoration presents a masonic splendour, the monogram of King Pedro V and his coat of arms. The wheel hubs bear the name of the manufacturer Gomes, A S. Roque no. 52 Lisboa. Portuguese work. 19th century.

Clarence (President of the Republic)

Binder’s Workshop (builder) | Late 19th century, France | 3,90 x 1,73 x 2,08 m

This vehicle commissioned by the Portuguese Royal House entered the service of the President House after the establishment of the Republic in 1910. The black leather closed body has five windows for better visibility. It has elliptical springs, disc brake and rubber tires. On the doors are painted the armillary spheres, symbols of the Portuguese Republic. It was manufactured at Binder’s workshop, in Paris. French work. 19th Century.

Calash

Muhlbacher (builder) | 19th century, 2nd half, France, Paris | 235 cm x 190 cm x 400 cm | Wood, iron, glass, rubber

This vehicle commissioned by the Portuguese Royal House entered the service of the President House after the establishment of the Republic in 1910. The body is shaped like a canoe, it has four seats facing each other and a folding hood. At the rear there is a seat for the groom with access to the crank brake. The wheels are covered in rubber. On the doors are painted the armillary spheres, symbols of the Portuguese Republic. It was manufactured at the Mulbacher’s workshop, in Paris. French work. 19h Century.

Charabanc of Queen Maria II

Thrupp and Co., 269 Oxford Street | 19th century (middle), England, London | 280 cm x 195 cm x 420 cm | Wood, wicker, iron, leather, metal, glass and silk

This vehicle with four benches was used for promenades in the countryside or in hunting expeditions. The access to the interior is made by folding steps and sliding drawers. The third folding seat gives access to the rear seat. It has a removable roof, roll-up blinds, four lanterns and two steering wheel brakes. It was commissioned in London at Thrupp and Co. by Queen Maria II. It presents the monogram of King Carlos I, the last owner. English work. 19th century.

Royal Children’s Cabriolets

Unknown author | 19th century

These small children’s cabriolets with an open body, similar to adult vehicles, were used by the young princes and princesses to play with and for promenades in the parks and in the palace gardens. The cabriolets could be pulled by ponies, sheep or goats.

Carriage for Prince Carlos

Cesare Sala (builder) | 19th century, last quarter, Italy, Milan | Physical Dimensions: 311 cm x 158 cm x 431 cm Wheels: 595/82 cm (diameter); 2.9/3 cm (thickness) | Wood, leather, iron, wicker

This set includes the carriage with a roof, made in Milan at Cesare Salas atelier, offered by King Vitorio Emmanuelle II of Italy to his grandson, Prince D. Carlos. It is a small promenade vehicle with an open body suspended on C-springs and it is refined in the smallest details. The decoration of the wheels and doors display the crowned monograms of Prince Carlos. Access inside is made by a folding footstep. The interior is upholstered in blue velvet.

About National Coach Museum

The National Coach Museum houses one of the most important collections of horse drawn carriages in the world, making this a highly recommended place to visit.

The museum was formerly housed in the Royal Riding Hall of Belém, the former home of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, known as the Picadeiro Real. The Picadeiro Real is part of the larger Belém Palace complex, formerly a Royal Palace, which is now the official residence of the President of Portugal.

In the Royal Riding Arena it is still possible to see some vehicles, oil paintings of the monarchs of the Bragança dynasty and a set of saddles and harnesses related to the Equestrian Art.

The new museum building was inaugurated on May 23, 2015. The horse-drawn vehicles belonging to royal palaces of the Crown, the Church and various noble houses are exhibited in chronological order revealing the different models used, their characteristics and evolution from the 16th century until the end of the 19th century.

Opening Hours:

Tuesday through Sunday: 10am to 6pm. Mondays: closed.
Closed: January 1st, May 1st, Easter Sunday, June 13th, 24th and 25th December.

Visited Aug 2023