Friesland sjees, c. 1750

This Friesland sjees (similar to a chaise or gig) was built in approximately 1750 in the Netherlands by an unknown maker. It is a lightweight, two-wheeled carriage designed to be pulled by a single horse.

This particular Friesland sjees is heavily decorated and ornately designed and detailed as is common for the type. This includes elaborate carvings on the wheels, shafts and other wooden parts of the carriage, which have been covered in a dark varnish. It also has (now faded) painted panels on the front, back and the sides of the body, depicting birds and other scenes of nature.

The single seat is covered with dark green/brown cushioning.

Mechanically, this sjees is very simple, with no undercarriage components other than the axle and wheels and the leather braces which the body is suspended on. The sjees has no braking system.

The sjees is a form of gig, which generally refers to a simple, two-wheeled, one seat carriage designed to be pulled by one (but sometimes two) horses. Pulled by highly prized Friesian carriage horses and with its elaborate decoration, it was a carriage designed to show off in. The ogee shape to the seat is very distinctive of Dutch carriages.