Carved wooden sleigh with a shell shaped seat and a carved phoenix at the head.

Lime wood, carved , painted, and gilt, the front representing a phoenix, the body formed like a shell is upheld by two putti supporting armorial shields; the driver's seat, which is behind, rests on a colossal mast.
The back and seat are upholstered in a stamped velvet, possibly 18th century. It is edged with brass nails, set quite widely apart and plain braid, probably linen. The well of the sleigh shows an adzed surface. On one side of the walls are fragments of animal skin, possibly pony, with brass nailing. This appears to have been lost from the rest of the well. The prow is carved with a phoenix like bird arising from flames, all naturalistically painted. The driver's seat at the back is carved underneath with a female face, also naturalistically painted.

Described on accession as 'Swiss; 17th or 18th century'

This object is the sleigh 'case' of a horse-drawn sleigh designed for transporting people, the base with the runners is missing.The tension is created by a collar harness, typically the “Bündner harness” with its metal-reinforced horns. The shafts of the sledges are attached directly to the horse collar without the use of tension cords.

In the German-speaking world, this type of sleigh is often called a racing sleigh, carousel sleigh, and parade or promenade sleigh. These are lavishly designed, framed and decorated for an effective appearance. The present example was intended to be pulled by only one horse. Such sleighs were used in European courts in the 17th century for amusement at events such as the so-called "carousells". Later, they were copied by the wealthy urban bourgeoisie for pleasure trips and used especially for carnival events. In Switzerland, this custom has been preserved in the rural Upper Engadine and is called "Schlitteda".

The typology of such sleighs was developed by the carriage specialist and former director of the Swiss National Museum, Dr. Andres Furger, who divided them into four categories:
- box slide
- Sausage sledge (you sat astride the bench, like on a sausage)
- Figure riding sledge
- Figure sledge

This sleigh belongs to the latter category. They were usually equipped with animal figures (lions were very popular), mythical creatures (dragons, sea animals) or with allegorical figures.

The upholstered seat in the box was intended for a lady, the gentleman sat as a coachman astride the seat or coachman platform attached to the back, the footrests were mounted on the runner's ends. (runners are missing here)

The present sleigh has an upholstered lady's seat in the shape of a shell, behind which is the seat for the coachman, also with carving on the edge. The richly decorated box with carved foliage is dominated by the front figure, a crane flying out of a bush. At best, this figure could indicate an origin from the Gruyère region, where the crane is a common heraldic animal.

The use of such sledges (Schlittedas) is now limited to the Romansh-speaking Upper Engadine (Canton of Graubünden), where such excursions/leasure rides are made in the municipalities of St. Moritz, Samedan, Pontresina and Champfèr under the name "Schlitteda" (sledge ride, sledge festival) in January or at the beginning of February. Unmarried young people are allowed to take part. They drive on set routes through the snow-covered plain of the high valley, accompanied by the bells on the harness. On these occasions, the young women wear the Engadin costume and the young men dress in Biedermeier costumes.

1150-1868