carriage, baby
Object
Accession Number
983.691.002.001a-bDescription
A three-wheeled wood and wicker baby carriage with attached umbrella, the wood frame of hardwood, its surface-finishes deteriorated, the wickerwork showing some repair/replacement along the top edges of the baby compartment which is lined with deteriorated tufted fabric upholstery, the detachable umbrella framework holding a modern (circa 1985) dark teal-coloured fabric lined in machine-made cream-coloured lace, the four hardwood wheels with wooden spokes, the rims of steel.Narrative
This style of baby carriage was mass-produced in North America during the late 19th Century. Although this particular example was not owned by the Dunsmuir family, there would certainly have been one or more baby carriages in the Craigdarroch for strolling the Castle's grounds with visiting Dunsmuir grandchildren and other babies.This wicker-work on this carriage was in damaged condition when it was acquired by The Castle Society. It was subsequently repaired by a Canadian veteran who had been blinded during World War I. The quality of his repair is superb, the only thing differentiating the new wickerwork from the original being the shading of the wicker's colour. Many Commonwealth soldiers blinded by service in the Great War, including Canadians, were re-trained in basketry and other trades at St. Dunstan's Hospital for Blind Soldiers and Sailors in London, England. Some Canadian veterans were re-trained in Canada. When Craigdarroch Military Hospital was in operation (1919-1921), there was a basketry shop in a purpose-built hospital workshop on the Castle's south lawn. We do not know where the repairer of this baby carriage was trained.
For further information on the care of blinded Canadian veterans of the Great War, please see Veterans with a Vision Canada’s War Blinded in Peace and War by Serge Marc Durflinger:
https://www.ubcpress.ca/asset/9488/1/9780774818551.pdf (last accessed March 25, 2020)
