The tea trolley was inspired by British tea culture, which Aino and
Alvar Aalto had become acquainted with though their many travels, as
well as by the Japanese woodwork and architecture they admired.
With a frame composed of two birch lamella loops, Tea Trolley 901
features two shelves and a solid birch handle. Twin wheels, in
combination with the lightweight quality of birch, mean the trolley can
be easily maneuvered and parked at will.
Over the years, numerous variations of the Tea Trolley have been
produced. Dutch designer and colour expert Hella Jongerius delved into
Artek’s archives to offer her own take on one of Alvar Aalto’s most
cherished products. Her subtle interventions resulted in a light and a
dark version of the trolley, which play with the shifting light on the
product’s upper and lower trays.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Alvar Aalto (1898-1976), one of the founders of Artek, was born in Kuortane, Finland. Alvar Aalto is recognized today as one of the great masters of modern architecture. During his long and prolific career, Aalto’s work embraced almost all key public institutions - town halls, theatres, churches, libraries and universities - as well as standardized housing and private homes. Aalto’s architecture i ...
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