Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A gem-set hansom cab brooch, circa 1890, the horse, cab and driver set throughout with old brilliant-cut diamonds, the lantern set with a circular-cut ruby, the cab window fashioned by a faceted paste, and having rotating wheels, mounted in silver and gold, total diamond weight approximately 0.60 carat, length 42mm. £800-£1,200

The hansom cab was a horse-drawn carriage designed and patented in 1834 by Joseph Hansom, an architect from York. Originally called the Hansom Safety Cab, it combined both speed and safety, having a low centre of gravity for safe manoeuvring. Hansom cabs proved to be extremely popular. as they were light, fast and agile in London traffic. Other overseas countries took up the design, including European cities particularly Paris, Berlin and St Petersburg. By the late 19th century, they were in common use in the United States, particularly in New York City.

By the 1920s. the hansom cabs were largely being superseded by motor vehicles. The last licence for a horse-drawn cab in London was relinquished in 1947.