When you look for a horse drawn hearse you will find a large range from the plain, painted colonial hearse, to the ornate Victorian hearse from the UK. This one was designed on an American style with less ornate decoration, the object in this model being to let the timber, brass and leather do the decoration.

The casket was added later, on request from the owner for whom it was made; I initially drew the line at that, however it works and completes the model.



All timber is Matai from one piece of floor board, including the turned roof supports (even the casket). The timbers appear to be two different colours. This is due to the angle at which you are viewing the timber.

Matai seems more than other timbers to change colour depending on the viewing angle which is bad news when you discover you have one piece running the wrong way.

The roof is step vaulted which only shows from the inside. This is a beautiful timber to use and with little effort comes up to a beautiful colour and finish.

The finish here is, after a light sanding, two coats of Danish oil with 2 coats of fine furniture oil. The roof is covered in leather with a brass flower rail around the edge. All metal work is brass.