This Russian sociable is a four-wheeled, open topped carriage designed to be pulled by one or two horses. It was built in 1898 by Hooper and Co in London at the request of Prince Edward. This carriage has six seats in total with two at the front including the driver’s seat, and four passenger seats in the open topped back. This back passenger area has foldable black leather hoods. The sociable was painted black with red lines, the livery for the British royal family which they used for most of the 20th century. The upholstery of the sociable is primarily black leather and blue velvet seating. The undercarriage of the sociable does not have brakes. There is a small plate at the front which includes the makers mark ‘Hooper and Co, No.11, London’. Russian sociable, Hooper and co, 1898 1898