The Yorkshire Rose

Horse drawn wagons, or ‘vardi’, like this were traditionally used by Romani peoples as their homes, from the 1850s to the early 1900s. Intricately carved and highly decorated, they were often commissioned by specialist coach builders. There were a number of different designs and sizes – this one is a ‘bowtop’. It’s made from weatherproof canvas stretched over a wooden frame, with a rear window and wooden door. Inside would be a stove and a table, seats and a bed, again often highly decorated and draped with lush fabrics.