In Georgian times this sedan chair would have been used to carry people to the baths. Those that operated them had special licenses and operated in a similar way to today’s taxi drivers. Very wealthy individuals may have had their own chairs but people from all levels of society would have also hired them to get around the City.

Beach studied under Joshua Reynolds and settled in Bath before later moving to Kew in London. Much in demand as a portrait painter, he is well known for several portraits of Mrs Siddons, the actress. In this picture, Samuel Rodbard is depicted with Somerset landmark Glastonbury Tour seen in the background