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Arthur Ralph Middleton Todd, R.A. (1891-1966).
The gypsy caravan.
Oil on canvas.
24 x 20 in. (61 x 50.8 cm.)
frame 29 x 24 ½ in. (73.7 x 62.2 cm.)
Nicknamed the ‘kite wagon’ due to it’s sloping walls, the caravan depicted by Arthur Todd is a Reading, a design that was popular with Romany Gypsies for it’s ability to negotiate rough terrain.
Contrary to common belief, the caravan was only adopted by the Gypsies in the 1850s - up until then, they travelled by horse and foot, sleeping under carts and pitching tents for shelter (i). Inhabitable horse-drawn wagons were developed in around 1810 in France, and first used by travelling circuses and entertainers.
The Romany term for a caravan is a vardo, from the Iranian vurden, a word assimilated as the communities passed through Persia from India (ii). Taking up to a year to build, vardoes (made from a combination of oak, pine, ash, elm and walnut) were predominantly commissioned for newly married couples.
Footnotes:
(i) The tents were known as 'benders', due to their hazel rod frames.
(ii) Romany Gypsy culture can be traced back to 9th Century India.
The BADA Standard
- Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
- Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
- Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
- Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
- Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
