Journey through time at the National Centre RUSSIA: an imperial-era phaeton at the exposition "Geography Lessons"

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A ceremonial phaeton from the mid-19th century, decorated with gilded bronze and red velvet, took part more than once in the coronations of Russian emperors. It has been brought from the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Reserve specifically for display at the exposition "Geography Lessons". Irina Bredikhina, curator of the "Carriages. Harness" collection, shared with the Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA how the phaeton came to the museum, what makes it unique, and how this show piece has survived to the present day.

Elegant, ceremonial, and one of a kind

— When did the phaeton become part of the museum’s collection, and how long has it been in Tsarskoye Selo?

— The phaeton, together with several dozen other carriages, was transferred in 1969 to the Catherine Palace Museum in Tsarskoye Selo (now the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Reserve) from the State Hermitage Museum. The carriages had earlier come to the Hermitage from the Court Stable Museum, which was disbanded in the 1920s. By 1971, restorers had prepared 14 carriages for an exposition in the Cameron Gallery. In 1990, they were moved to the "Duty Stables" pavilion, where they have been remaining up to present day.

— What makes the phaeton unique and historically valuable, and what can it tell us about the epoch when it was made, and lifestyle and transport culture of that time?

— The phaeton was produced using the most advanced technologies of that time, including a system of vertical and horizontal springs. While its overall silhouette corresponds to the fashionable style of open carriages popular in the mid-19th century, its decoration is absolutely unique. Only two such phaetons were ever made, and this is the only surviving example. Since each carriage was handmade, every piece was distinctive even when produced according to the same design.

The artistic design follows the neo-Rococo style — a fashionable trend at the time, intended to evoke memories of the epoch of Peter I and Elizabeth Petrovna. The same "elegant and festive" manner was used to decorate the new carriages, the liveries and triangular hats for coachmen, and the harness for pedigree horses. To prepare the coronation carriages and harnesses, craftsmen from the Court Stable Office and private firms were engaged. In total, 16 new gilded carriages were produced, 17 historic vehicles were restored, and 30 sets of ceremonial tandem harnesses were made.

An enormous sum — more than 740,000 silver roubles — was spent on the coronation procession. Such costs were considered justified, as they were necessary to "impress the imagination" of subjects and foreign guests alike. The production of this phaeton alone was valued at 6,295 silver roubles.

Behind the scenes of court production

— How complex was the process of producing the phaeton?

— Preparations for the coronation celebrations were completed within a very limited timeframe. The Court Carriage Office undertook to repair two historic carriages and a sedan chair, as well as to create two new ceremonial carriages, two four-seat phaetons and two two-seat phaetons. The director of the office, Major General Vakhtin, was instructed to hire additional craftsmen, order materials from the best manufacturers, and ensure the highest quality in all purchases.

The master carriage maker’s main responsibility was to ensure that the final result corresponded precisely to the original design. A skilled carriage master needed to possess both theoretical and practical engineering knowledge, artistic taste and the ability to organise the work of carpenters, locksmiths, blacksmiths, bronze casters, spring makers, wheelwrights, upholsterers, gilders and passementerie craftsmen. The work on the coronation carriages was overseen by master craftsman John Bannister, who had held this position for more than 20 years. For structural reliability, only the finest materials were used: high-quality steel and seasoned wood, which were always available at the Court Carriage Factory.

The exhibit has been remarkably well preserved to the present day. In 2020, specialists from the restoration workshop "Phenomenon" restored only the cover of the coachman’s seat.

Three coronations and a railway

— What interesting facts or historical events are associated with this exhibit?

— Like other carriages used in ceremonial processions, the phaeton was kept at the Court Stable Museum on Konyushennaya Square in St Petersburg so that it could be used in official ceremonies — for example, during the coronations of Alexander III in 1881 and Nicholas II in 1896, as well as the celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov. The precious carriages were transported to Moscow on freight railway platforms.

First time outside Tsarskoye Selo

— Has the phaeton been showcased elsewhere before, or is this its first public presentation on a wider scale?

— The phaeton is normally displayed in the permanent exposition "Court Carriage in Tsarskoye Selo" in the "Duty Stables" pavilion near the Catherine Palace. Its presentation at the National Centre RUSSIA is the first time the phaeton has been exhibited outside Tsarskoye Selo.

The new exposition project "Geography Lessons" welcomed its first visitors at the National Centre RUSSIA on 3 April. It offers a true journey through the centuries — from ancient scrolls to digital maps, from the earliest geographical discoveries to the exploration of space. Each of the eight thematic halls presents fascinating stories of discoveries, expeditions, scientific achievements and the exploration of territories. Schoolchildren can try themselves in the role of explorers, learn to read maps and understand the scale of the country not only intellectually but also emotionally.

The exposition is based on rare cartographic materials from the collections of the Russian State Library, the State Historical Museum, the Central Naval Library, the Polytechnic Museum, as well as leading Russian archives, universities and research centres. These include historic maps and atlases, educational publications, globes of the Earth and other planets, and books that shaped the understanding of the world for several generations of explorers. The exposition is designed for family audiences and schoolchildren aged 9–16. Visit the exposition "Lessons of geography" and rediscover the map of your country!