Sleigh

A recreational countryside sleigh, intended for driving without servants and alternatively with a professional driver. Driven with one or two horses in a Hungarian harness made of brown leather. It was used for outings ˗ in such case, the horses were wearing bells or to get to hunting appointments ˗ then, the bells were not used in order not to frighten the game. The described sleigh, used only in the estate, i.e. rural, is in the natural wood colour. The sleigh lower body with wooden, fitted runners has “posmyki” (wooden bars between the runners and the leader bar) next to which splinter bars are hung. The chest-type upper body of the sleigh has a high, ogee-shaped snow guard at the front (to protect the passengers from clumps of snow kicked by the horses), next to which there is a low rein holder and at the sides, wooden horizontal slats which protected the sledge from tipping over to the side. There are two seats in the sleigh, one behind the other ˗ the front one is a slightly arched bench occupied by the driver. Behind it, there was the main seat with a back rest and high side walls ˗ two passengers could sit there or the owner driving the sledge ˗ in such case, the front bench remained empty and the reins rested on the rein holder next to the snow guard. The upholstery of both seats is made of beige corduroy. At the back of the body, a low, openwork shelf for luggage was placed. Passengers riding the sleigh put on fur sawn together over their outer clothing and high boots made of fur or felt over their own shoes. The passengers were also covered with sheepskin with cloth adjusted to the upholstery. The coachmen were also wearing high boots, fur lined livery and warm caps. The sleigh of the Potocki family from Łańcut is one of three items of this type which are in the Łańcut coach house; at the same time, it is one of few vehicles of this type in Europe. It has been preserved in the original condition, which is also exceptional. Aldona Cholewianka-Kruszyńska