About this sheet
Pair of original antique 18th-century copper engravings illustrating two elegant French horse-drawn carriages, 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 sophisticated craft of French carriage making. Drawn by Jacques-Raymond Lucotte and engraved by Robert Bénard, they combine highly decorative Rococo coach design with precise technical documentation of carriage construction, suspension, wheels, chassis, upholstery and fittings.
PLATE IV – Berline ou Vis-à-vis à panneaux arrasés: An exceptionally ornate enclosed Berlin or vis-à-vis carriage. The large central elevation shows the richly decorated passenger compartment, elaborate Rococo carving, large rear and smaller front wheels, driver’s seat and suspension. Additional figures illustrate individual decorative and structural components.
PLATE XII – Diable: An elegant open carriage known as a “Diable,” characterized by its sweeping body profile and richly upholstered passenger compartment. The plate presents the complete carriage in side elevation together with a plan view, separate upholstery study and construction details.
Together, the two engravings provide a fascinating contrast between enclosed and open luxury carriage design in 18th-century France. They are both decorative works in their own right and detailed historical records of the craftsmanship and engineering employed by French coachbuilders during the Age of Enlightenment.
ARTIST / DRAFTSMAN: Jacques-Raymond Lucotte
PUBLICATION: Encyclopédie – Recueil de Planches sur les Sciences, les Arts Libéraux et les Arts Méchaniques
SECTION: Sellier-Carrossier
PLATES: IV and XII
MEDIUM: Original copper engravings on paper
SUBJECT: Berlin / Vis-à-vis carriage, Diable carriage, coachbuilding and carriage engineering
STYLE / PERIOD: Louis XV / Rococo / French Enlightenment
NUMBER OF PRINTS: 2
CONDITION: Good antique condition with overall age-related toning, scattered foxing, spotting and staining. Original fold lines, minor creasing, handling marks and some wear and small irregularities are present along the margins and edges, consistent with original sheets more than 250 years old. The engraved images remain strong, crisp and highly detailed. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.
PLEASE NOTE: These are two original antique 18th-century copper engravings from 1771, not modern reproductions. The prints are sold unframed. Framed images, compilations or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.
