Object of the Day: An Antique Walnut Tea Trolley

This unusual, oversized tea trolley comes from a Swiss hotel and dates to the late Nineteenth Century. Crafted from beautiful walnut, the trolley sports elegant, hand-carved legs, a moveable center tray and sterling silver wheels and handles. Used to deliver tea and other meals to rooms within this hotel, the trolley bears to plaques stamped with the makers seal and signed by a J. Clement, Geneva, “pour hotels.” Sterling silver hooks on either side of the trolley would have held tea towels.

I can imagine this grand trolley being rolled into an elegant hotel room, laden with cakes and other delicacies. I use the trolley as a center island in my kitchen. It’s an impressive piece and an interesting reminder of the quality of craftsmanship given to the most utilitarian of objects.