Sanger's Circus
Photograph
late 19th century (photographed)
late 19th century (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
When Sanger's Circus arrived in town, it did so in style. This carriage, which weighs 10 tons, was drawn by four cream horses in 'royal state harness' as part of a grand procession. All the carved woodwork on the carriage was gilded. Mrs Sanger sometimes dressed as Britannia and rode on top holding a Union Jack shield, a gold trident, and wearing a Greek helmet. Nero, the circus lion, and a lamb sat together at her feet. The carriage was followed by a string of camels, a herd of elephants, numerous costumed characters, exotic animals, either in cages or led by their trainers, and the band. During World War II the gilt on the carriage was scraped off and sold. As road traffic increased, circus processions became more of a hazard and eventually the authorities banned Sanger's circus from clogging up the highways with its spectacular, but slow, processions.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sanger's Circus (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Photograph |
| Brief description | Photograph of the band carriage used by Sanger's Circus, late 19th century |
| Physical description | Sepia photograph of an elaborate carved, gilded and painted horse-drawn carriage, standing in a road outside a church with four men beside it, the back and right hand side visible. The body of the carriage is decorated with a carved Royal coat of arms and painted scenes of animal hunts. The roof, supported by twisted pillars and carved figures of Native Americans, is edged with carved medallions and a painted portrait of Queen Victoria. On mount, stamped with photographer's name and address on reverse. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'A. M. Bliss & Co. [italics] / PHOTOGRAPHERS / 34, LANSDOWN PLACE, / LEWES.' (Stamped on reverse.) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Florence A. Cledwyn |
| Object history | This photograph was originally owned by high wire artist, Mademoiselle Yetta, who appeared with Sanger's Circus in the late 19th century. Yetta was a friend of the donor. |
| Summary | When Sanger's Circus arrived in town, it did so in style. This carriage, which weighs 10 tons, was drawn by four cream horses in 'royal state harness' as part of a grand procession. All the carved woodwork on the carriage was gilded. Mrs Sanger sometimes dressed as Britannia and rode on top holding a Union Jack shield, a gold trident, and wearing a Greek helmet. Nero, the circus lion, and a lamb sat together at her feet. The carriage was followed by a string of camels, a herd of elephants, numerous costumed characters, exotic animals, either in cages or led by their trainers, and the band. During World War II the gilt on the carriage was scraped off and sold. As road traffic increased, circus processions became more of a hazard and eventually the authorities banned Sanger's circus from clogging up the highways with its spectacular, but slow, processions. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.110-2018 |
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| Record created | March 21, 2018 |
| Record URL |
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