Baby Carriage c. 1927

This rendering of a baby carriage was made with graphite and watercolor by Ernest A. Towers, Jr. Although this is a two-dimensional work, we can still consider the processes involved in the actual manufacture of this object. With its meticulously spoked wheels, elegantly curved chassis and cushioned interior, this baby carriage would have required a range of specialist skills. A wheelwright for the wheels, a metalworker for the frame, and an upholsterer for the seating area. Its design suggests that it was intended for upper-class families. Notice the canopy: this would have required the skills of a weaver and perhaps an embroiderer too. The carriage speaks volumes about the social and economic context in which it was used, and the labor required to produce such an elaborate object. By considering the making, materiality and use of this carriage, we begin to appreciate the depth of its cultural significance, and challenge the perceived divide between design, craft and fine art.