{{Short description|Dutch horse cart}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} thumb|300px|Sjees with single horse

A '''Sjees''' (from Dutch, meaning ''chaise'') is a Dutch traditional two-wheeled carriage pulled by one or two horses, which originates from Friesland in the north of Netherlands. Also called a '''Friesian chaise''', it resembles a chaise or gig carriage but with unique regional distinctions. The undercarriage, wooden axle, large wheels, and shafts are usually painted white. The body, which is supported on cee-springs and leather braces, has a curved dash and seats two people. Typically, the body is decorated with elaborate painting, gilding and carvings, and the upholstery is brightly colored velvet or leather.{{r|smith|walrond79|walrond92}}

The sjees is customarily driven by black Friesian horses, either one horse in {{Glossary link|glossary=Glossary of carriage and driving terminology|shafts}}, or two on either side of a {{Glossary link|glossary=Glossary of carriage and driving terminology|pole}}. The harness is a breast collar style, decorated with white trim, and white rope is used for the reins and traces.{{r|smith|walrond79|walrond92}}

<gallery heights="170" mode="packed" caption="Sjees"> File:Friesian Sjees.jpg|Sjees with pair of horses File:Hollandse sjees, ca. 1825 Een Hollandsche chais Une chaise roulante en usage en hollande et connu sous le nom de chais ou chees (titel op object), BI-B-FM-116-74.jpg|c. 1825 print depicting a sjees File:Rijtuigen, tentoonstellingen, kleuters, Wagenmakers roem, Laren, Bestanddeelnr 043-0973.jpg|Elaborate decorations on this sjees </gallery>

== References == {{wiktionary|sjees}} {{commons category|Friese sjees|Sjees}} {{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="smith">{{cite book |title=A Dictionary of Horse Drawn Vehicles |first=D.J.M. |last=Smith |year=1988 |publisher=J. A. Allen & Co. Ltd. |isbn=0851314686 |ol=11597864M |page=82}}</ref>

<ref name="walrond79">{{cite book |title=The Encyclopaedia of Driving |first=Sallie |last=Walrond |year=1979 |publisher=Country Life Books |isbn=0600331822 |ol=4175648M |page=128}}</ref>

<ref name="walrond92">{{cite book |title=Looking at Carriages |first=Sallie |last=Walrond |year=1992 |isbn=0720712823 |ol=3828623M |pages=104-5}}</ref>

}}

== External links ==

* {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SzNlUqPR-k&t=467s |title=Short closeup video of a sjees |date=June 5, 2023 |location=Netherlands |via=YouTube |time=7:45-8:13 }}

{{Horse-drawn carriages}}

Category:Carriages