Ice Sledge

A rare surviving 19th century ice sledge. Designed for use on frozen lakes the chair is mounted on iron rails very much in the style of modern ice skates and was pushed over the ice by one person while the other remained seated. Constructed of oak slats on a cast iron frame and retaining traces of the original decoration, on the back rail a number 23 can be seen most probably used similar to rowing boats in the summer the sledge would be one of several rented out on lakes such as windermere in the winter. The top rail still bares the original cast iron makers plaque for John Wallace & Sons of Glasgow.

The final image shows a copy of a print produced at the end of the 19th century depicting Queen Victoria seated in one of these chairs being pushed by Prince Albert. In her journal of 1840 she wrote: ‘I had never been on ice before. We drove down to Frogmore & Albert pushed me in a sledge chair on the ice, which was delightful, & it went with such rapidity.’

Date:
Mid to Late 19th Century
Circa 1860 - 1900

Approx. Dimensions:
Width 50cm
Depth 150cm
Height 85cm

Condition:
Excellent, Please See Images.