About this sheet
Set of three original antique 18th-century copper engravings illustrating French post chaises and cabriolet carriage design, published in the celebrated Encyclopédie of Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert in 1771.
The plates belong to the “Sellier-Carrossier” section devoted to the specialist craft of carriage making. Drawn by Jacques-Raymond Lucotte and engraved by Robert Bénard, they combine elegant French Rococo design with remarkably precise technical documentation of carriage bodies, wheels, shafts, suspension, upholstery and individual fittings.
The set comprises Plates XIII, XV and XIV.
PLATE XIII – Chaise de Poste à l’Écrevisse: An elaborate enclosed post chaise shown in side and plan views, accompanied by numerous detailed studies of its structural and mechanical components.
PLATE XV – Chaise ou Cabriolet: An elegant two-wheeled chaise or cabriolet with folding hood. Additional figures illustrate the passenger compartment, hood mechanism, shafts and individual fittings.
PLATE XIV – Chaise de Poste à Cul de Singe: A finely ornamented post chaise distinguished by its characteristic curved body. The main elevation is accompanied by a plan view and detailed studies of the upholstery, bodywork and construction elements.
Together, these three closely related engravings provide a fascinating record of luxury private transportation in 18th-century France. The elaborate Rococo ornament contrasts beautifully with the precise engineering drawings, demonstrating the combination of decorative craftsmanship and mechanical sophistication required by the French coachbuilding trade during the Age of Enlightenment.
ARTIST / DRAFTSMAN: Jacques-Raymond Lucotte
ENGRAVER: Robert Bénard (1734–1777)
PUBLICATION: Encyclopédie – Recueil de Planches sur les Sciences, les Arts Libéraux et les Arts Méchaniques
SECTION: Sellier-Carrossier
PLATES: XIII, XV and XIV
DATE: 1771
ORIGIN: France
MEDIUM: Original copper engravings on paper
SUBJECT: Post chaises, cabriolet, horse-drawn carriages and coachbuilding
STYLE / PERIOD: Louis XV / Rococo / French Enlightenment
NUMBER OF PRINTS: 3
CONDITION: Good antique condition with overall age-related toning, scattered foxing, spotting and staining. The sheets show original fold lines, creasing, handling marks and some wear and small irregularities along the margins and edges. Localized discoloration and staining are visible, consistent with original engravings more than 250 years old. The engraved images remain strong and highly detailed. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.
FRAME / PRESENTATION: Sold as a set of three, unframed. Framed images, compilations and interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.
PLEASE NOTE: These are original antique 18th-century copper engravings from 1771, not modern reproductions.
KEYWORDS: Diderot Encyclopédie, Diderot Encyclopedia, Jacques-Raymond Lucotte, Robert Bénard, Sellier Carrossier, Chaise de Poste, Chaise à l’Écrevisse, Chaise à Cul de Singe, Cabriolet, French carriage, post chaise, horse drawn carriage, antique carriage print, coachbuilding, carriage engineering, transportation history, equestrian art, French decorative arts, Louis XV, Rococo, French Enlightenment, Arts et Métiers, technical drawing, set of three engravings, original copper engravings, 18th century France, 1771
