Glossary

In the 16^th century this figure was known as Orsade. The horse sits on its hips, the front legs picked and thus stays in a balance. The school jumps are then taught to the horse from this balance.

Four-wheeled carriage, always driven by its owner, the phaeton is characterised by an important comfortable front seat higher up in the front of the bodywork; at the back there is a simple seat for one or two servants. The seat of the master may be covered with a roof. It is a town and country carriage, elegant and sporty, for those who love driving. During all the 19th century, the phaeton, with its many variants, is very successful – and at the end of the century it is still “the most famous, or at least the most select type” (Le Guide du Carrossier, 1895, n° 230, p. 230).

French prehistoric-specialist who led many excavations in the caves and shelters of the Pyrenees Mountains (Le Mas-d’Azil, les Espélugues, Saint-Michel d’Arudy, Lortet, Brassempouy). He donated his collections comprising rich series of furniture art to the National Antiques museum (today the National Archaeology Museum) in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Used for an anatomy piece which has been subject to plastination, namely plastification through silicone impregnation.

Geological era starting 2 and a half million year ago and ending more than 11,000 years ago, the Pleistocene covers most of the recent glaciations.

First ordinary equerry at the Main Stable under Henri III, Henry IV and Louis XIII, Antoine de Pluvinel is considered as one of the founding fathers of French traditional riding, after Salomon de La Broue and before François de La Guérinière. He was the first to open a riding school in the heart of Paris, in 1594, and gave riding lessons to the heir, Louis XIII. Upon the King’s request, he wrote these lessons which were published supported by Crispin de Pas’s famous engravings, in 1623 under the title Le Maneige Royal, then in 1625, under the title L’instruction du Roy en l’exercice de monter à cheval and the text was rewritten by René de Menou, ecuyer at the Main Stable and disciple of Pluvinel.

Long wooden bar fixed on the front axle of the four-wheel carriages drawn by two horses or, exceptionally, on two wheel-carriages also drawn by a pair of horses (curricle). Moved by the horses, connected to their chests, it gives the direction to the carriage, slows it down by holding it in the slopes downwards and making it roll backwards by pushing it.

Polo is a sport which is practised with a team of four riders. With mallet, they have to score as many points as possible in the goal of the opposite team.

Games practised individually for a team score, focused around handiness, speed, agility, mastership, etc.

Name given to light carriages used for short drives within or outside castle parks, with either two or four wheels and a bodywork generally made in lattice wickerwork.

First event of the traditional carriage driving competitions during which the judges will attribute score points to the horses, harnesses, coach and the passengers’ clothes. The vintage carriages get scores out of 20; the modern copies out of 12.

Private omnibuses, smaller than their public counterparts and much more carefully built, carry guests or travellers as well as their luggage between the railway stations and the châteaux or country houses in the area. The most luxurious ones are also used to travel to hunting meeting points, races or sports meetings and social events.

Big enclosed four-wheeled coach used for transport in towns, serving regular routes. The inside of the bodywork, with windows through its length, may be accessed by a door that opens in the middle of the back panel.