Tea trolley, model 901
designed (1936-1937)
Medium
Birch (Betula sp.), lacquered wood, rubber, metal
Measurements
55.4 × 90.0 × 45.8 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Margaret Ditchburn Bequest, 2021
© Alvar Aalto / Licensed by Copyright Agency, Australia
Gallery location
Mid 20th Century Paintings & Decorative Arts Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
Alvar and Aino Aalto travelled a great deal throughout their careers. The Tea trolley was inspired by their love of British tea culture and Japanese furniture design, particularly its lightweight construction and functionality. The design of the laminated birch loops, which form the trolley frame, is taken directly from Aalto’s earlier design for the Paimio chair. The Tea trolley has remained in production with numerous variations having been produced over the years, each of which has a different model number.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Littoinen, Finland
Inscription
stamped (vertically) in ink on base c.: AALTO (…illeg.) / MADE (…illeg.)NLAND
Accession Number
2021.12
Department
International Decorative Arts