Parkwagen

A parkwagen is a recreational chaise, for four persons, to be driven without servants by a pair of horses in a Hungarian harness. It was purchased from the renowned coach building firm of Jacob Lohner in Vienna. It was used in Łańcut for recreational rides and social trips to rural farms. It was driven both by ladies and teenagers. This elegant black chaise with a flat footstool and two analogous ˗ one behind the other ˗ two-person seats, has full back rests and side supports decorated with black half-balusters and added subtle transverse stripes. Railings made of metal rods are located by the side rests. Both seats are upholstered with dark blue cloth, the front one with a soft wedge seat for driving and quilted with buttons. The edges of the seats are lined with dark sapphire haberdashery ribbon. The front fender and the side mudguards over the back wheels are made of leather. The corners of the front fender are openwork, with a triangular shape and they can function as handles used when climbing the front seat. At the sides of the front seat, there are handles with two candle lamps. Furthermore, at the right hand side, there is a lever of the block brake. Brake blocks are assembled at both back wheels. The chassis is black with subtle yellow stripes. This chaise after the Potocki family from Łańcut preserved in the original condition is one of few such carriages in Europe. Aldona Cholewianka-Kruszyńska