This rhinoceros-shaped wheelbarrow was used to mark the opening of a railway line between Hull and Hornsea, on Yorkshire’s east coast.
Why a rhinoceros? Well, the person who started the railway was Joseph Wade, whose family crest featured a rhino. The wheelbarrow was made especially for Wade by Hull furniture-making company Richardson and Sons.
About Richardson & Sons
Richardson & Sons was Hull’s largest furniture maker during the nineteenth century. The founder, Thomas Richardson first appears in trade directories in 1822. He was listed as working in Castle Street, where he remained until 1840.
The wheelbarrow is made from high-quality walnut. The rhino’s body has been carved with a rough texture to represent a rhino’s coarse hide. Richardson & Sons adapted the design to the function of the wheelbarrow. The forelegs raise to hold the pinion of the carved wooden wheel, while the hind legs act as the feet of the barrow.
About the railway
The Hull to Hornsea Railway opened on 28 March 1864. It allowed people who worked in Hull to live in Hornsea and commute into the city. The railway also meant people could travel to the coast for their holidays, which became ever-more popular during the late nineteenth century.
