ALVAR AALTO, 1936
OBJECT
Alvar Aalto’s 901 Tea Trolley, designed in 1936, features a bent birch frame inspired by Japanese craftsmanship while also making a clear reference to British tea culture, combining elegance and practicality. Its large wheels ensure easy mobility, while the linoleum or laminate shelves add character and durability.
This trolley exemplifies Aalto’s functionalist approach, integrating the refined and essential forms of bent birch wood into the tradition of the serving cart. The result is a piece that is both elegant and practical, perfectly reflecting Aalto’s design philosophy.
PROJECT, DESIGN, MATERIALS
Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936, the 901 Tea Trolley is a remarkable example of his innovative bentwood technique. Inspired by British tea culture and Japanese craftsmanship, the trolley combines organic forms with intelligent functionality.
The frame, made of two laminated birch rings, provides both lightness and strength, while the large MDF wheels (a composite material created by pressing wood fibers with resins and heat, resulting in a smooth, uniform, and durable surface) ensure easy movement. The two shelves, available in linoleum or laminate, offer durable and easy-to-clean surfaces.
Over time, the 901 Tea Trolley has been reinterpreted in various versions, including a special edition by Hella Jongerius, distinguished by a refined contrast of colors between the shelves.
ARTEK AND THE SUCCESS OF THE 901 TEA TROLLEY
At the beginning of its production, the 901 Tea Trolley was manufactured by O.y. Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas A.b. in Turku, Finland, on behalf of Artek, the company founded in 1935 by Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen, and Nils-Gustav Hahl.
The 901 Tea Trolley was designed to be functional and accessible, aligning with Artek’s goal of creating standardized models that were easy to produce and distribute.
In the early years, distribution expanded beyond Finland through strategic partnerships. Finmar Ltd. in England, founded by Geoffrey M. Boumphrey and R.W. Potter, played a key role in marketing Aalto’s furniture, while in the Netherlands, a similar role was taken on by Metz & Co, a department store for which Gerrit Rietveld also designed several pieces.
Early exports faced challenges related to quality and packaging, but demand grew quickly. By 1936, Aalto’s furniture, including the 901 Tea Trolley, had generated sales of eight million marks, securing its place in the international modernist design movement.
Alvar Aalto
Alvar Aalto (1898-1976), Finnish designer and architect, revolutionized design with his bent wood technique. He is famous for the Paimio chair, designed in 1932, and the Savoy vase of 1936, which reflect an organic design inspired by nature. As the cofounder of Artek, Aalto integrated functionality and aesthetics, profoundly influencing modern and Scandinavian design.
Artek
Artek is a Finnish design company founded in 1935 by Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen, and Nils-Gustav Hahl. Originally established to market Aalto’s furniture, it also aimed to promote modern living through exhibitions and education. Today, Artek continues to produce and distribute iconic designs with a strong architectural identity.
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Details
Produced by Artek
Width: 90 cm
Depth: 50 cm
Height: 56 cm
Structure composed of two rings made of birch lamella, a top surface and a shelf in high-pressure laminate, linoleum, or pine veneer, MDF wheels, and a black rubber ring.
