Tea Trolley 901

Overview

Tea Trolley 901 was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936 and is made by Artek. Artek says it was inspired by British tea culture, which Aino and Alvar Aalto had come to know through their travels, and by the Japanese woodwork and architecture they admired.

Construction

The frame is composed of two birch lamella loops (form-bent solid birch lamella). The trolley has two shelves, a solid birch handle and twin wheels in MDF; the top and shelf surface is high-pressure laminate or linoleum. Artek lists it as Made in Finland.

Specifications

• Dimensions: L 90 cm · W 50 cm · H 56 cm
• Versions: four, including the Hella Jongerius dark version
• Frame: form-bent solid birch lamella

Tea culture and Japanese woodwork

Artek ties the trolley to British tea culture and to Japanese woodwork and architecture, both known to Aino and Alvar Aalto from their travels. The page adds that twin wheels and the light weight of birch let it be moved and parked at will.

Image source: Artek — Tea Trolley 901 · © Artek and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy

Hella Jongerius

Over the years many variations of the trolley have been produced. Dutch designer and colour expert Hella Jongerius went through Artek's archives and offered her own take on it, a dark version that plays with the shifting light on the upper and lower trays. Artek's 2015 sheet is titled Hella Jongerius Collection and describes a light and a dark version.