Carousel Carriage - Jules MOULINAS for Ets A. DEVOS

Turn of the 19th century

Dimensions : Lenght 2m65 x Width 1m38

A unique piece from mythical carousels, jewels of fairground art.
Large open gondola also known as «Venetian gondola», entirely curved and richly carved with dragons, Art-Nouveau foliage, enhanced with bevelled mirrors. At the back, a painting on canvas in the taste of the 18th century adds to its allure.

The richness of the sculptures, their nature representing neither human figure nor animals of the traditional bestiary, make it possible to recognize Alexandre Devos's style when he worked 2 route Courte d'Ypres, in Ghent (Belgium) with the workshop leader Jules Moulinas, who excelled in Art Nouveau.

These elements date the piece from the 1890s/1900s; the study concerning the great carousels is informed by photos, including postcards (Here located at Carrousel-Palace, François Tewe's carousel-salon at the turn of the 19th century).

Actually, the gondola is presented as autonomous carriage, by the addition of decorated wheels, mounted on the primitive frame allowing movement on the carousel. The mechanism used to fold the gondola for transport is present, and always operational. The upholstery of the seats has been redone in strawberry velvet, by skilled upholsterers.

This arrangement made it possible to insert the gondola into an interior decor, without distorting it, even though it lost its carousel.

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