The Golden Carriage

The Baroque Golden Carriage was commissioned from the French designer Nicolas Pineau in 1738 by Prince Joseph Wenzel I of Liechtenstein for his official entry as ambassador of Emperor Charles VI in Versailles and can be seen today in the Lichtenstein Garden Palace in Rossau.

Later, the carriage also found a historically significant use: on the occasion of the wedding of Joseph II in Oct. 1760 – the eldest son of Maria Theresa – the prince and his bride Isabella of Parma arrived in Vienna in the specially adapted gala carriage. This bridal procession, with an entourage of 98 carriages representing the entire high aristocracy of Europe, is also prominently depicted in the Ceremonial Hall at Schönbrunn Palace in Martin van Meytens‘ cycle of paintings.

The gold-leafed grand carrosse with masterfully executed applications, carvings and paintings in the type of a berline also features technical innovations. The design of the chassis improved stability and maneuverability, and the suspension of the cabin with leather straps increased tilt resistance.