The gypsy cart and caravan pulled by the gypsy horse was in reality the gypsy home. These gypsy carts were popular more than 150 years ago and basically contained the gypsy families’ possessions. The cart was not used as a house, but rather a means to transport the family goods. A tent called a bender provided sleeping arrangements. These benders were made out of hazeltwigs covered by canvas. If the family lacked a bender or tent the family would utilize the tilt of the cart (the cover of the cart). This cover of the cart would provide shelter from rain or snow. The gypsy cart covered by canvas or wood was called a vardo. The word vardo came from the Iranian word “Vurdon.” The carts or wagons in reality were a covered wagon, canvas or wood, that was uniquely decorated and fitted for comfort. The vardos did not become popular until the last 100 years. They became extremely popular in France for the family home. Gypsy showmen traveling between fairs and circuses in the 1800’s in England were the first ones to use the vardo.
The interesting thing is that these carts and vardos were rarely built by gypsies but rather by non-gypsy coach and wagon builders. Building the vardo generally took between 6 to 12 months and used wood of oak, ash, elm, walnut, and pine. They were ornately painted, decorated with carvings, and often enriched with gold leaf.
The Vardo can be divided into six main types:
They were the Brush, Reading, Pedge, Bow Top, Open Lot, and Burton. Their names came from the particular homeowners, style, and the towns whose builders were noted for making them. The most popular one seen today in Europe and a few imported to the U. S.A. is the Bow top.
Eventually, several factors contributed to a decline in the number of gypsy carts and vardos being built. The factors contributing to their decline were the dominance of the automobile, the growth of communication and cinema. These factors resulted in fewer large fairs and circuses and caused the migration of the gypsy family into permanent dwellings. By the end of WWII and the 1950’s, most of the cart and wagon builders had died out.
Today, often working to original plans a new generation of wagon and cart builders and painters are up and coming. These builders and painters are attempting to replicate the craftsmanship and construction of the past masters. At the present time there is a revival taking pace in the U.K. and Europe but at present there is no known interest in the U.S.A. It is indeed a challenge today for anyone trying to build a new cart or wagon to get it right, especially using modern timbers which rarely have the robust character of yesteryear’s seasoned wood.
Fortunately there still exists in this country craftsman, woodworkers, and wagon builders that still possess the lost craftsmanship needed to duplicate these ornate wagons. These craftsmen exist in the community of the Amish. The Amish craftsman above all has an understanding of the value of old time craftsmanship. Thus it was with this overriding factor that caused us to seek an old world craftsmanship to build our line of gypsy Bradford carts.
Our Amish craftsmen are by trade cabinet and wagon builders. We have decided to offer to our fellow gypsy horse lovers these true replicated Bradford carts. The carts have hand construction and are built from original scaled drawings obtained from the gypsies of the U.K. They are built along the traditional lines of the Bradford cart. It is correctly built using the designated wood for each component. Traditional journey along with seasonal woods make this cart as close to the original Bradford’s of 150 years ago. Handcrafted scalloped edges, carvings, and dowels are replicated within mm to scaled old time drawings. Each cart is hand painted in traditional cart colors with pin stripping and traditional 24ct. god leaf. The cart takes about 1000 man hours from start to finish. Springs,axel, wheels, dowels, and under pinning are all handmade. We custom make all our carts to include color of paint, pin stripping, and above all your farm or gypsy horse logo on the back of each cart.
For gypsy horse owners, this cart is the finest cart a gypsy horse owner could present their horse in at any show, parade or display. We offer this cart custom made and require approximately 6-9 months from order to delivery. For contract information please contact Sarah Gentry by phone or email at horseimage@verizon.net
