Romany Gypsy Caravan By William Billy Wright

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

There can be few more romantic notions than taking to the open road in a horse-drawn Romany Gypsy Caravan - certainly in one as beautiful as this William ‘Billy’ Wright built example.

The son of strict chapel-goers, ‘Billy’ apprenticed as a joiner, operating a regular joinery business out of the family home in Rothwell Haigh near Leeds. In 1865 at the age of 21, he was asked to repair a broken living-wagon and decided to start building them himself.

The premises soon developed, with a full wood shop, wheelwright shed and forge, a handy nearby pond supplying water to shrink the hot metal tyres onto the wooden wheels. Producing a whole variety of carts and wagons, he soon became known for his ornate living vans, establishing the Bow-Top as a distinct type. His trade tended to be with well-to-do Romanies, his business thriving because of the quality of his work and his shrewd business acumen.

One of the foremost exponents of his art, his Caravans are highly sought after today, particularly those as highly decorated and beautifully painted as this one. Each maker had their own trademark designs, extending to the shape of the axles and style of the carving.

This exquisite Bow-Top has been in the same family for three generations and is believed to date from the turn of the last century. Highly decorated and with an original stove in place, the exterior has been comprehensively and beautifully restored.

This three-dimensional museum-quality ‘work of art’ was made by one of the most significant makers in the country and represents a golden opportunity to acquire an extremely rare, top class Bow-Top Caravan.