For Tea Trolley 901, which was introduced at the 1937 Paris World's Fair, Alvar Aalto invented a process for bending thick layers of birch wood into gracefully curved loops to create strong, light frames. The large white wheels have black rubber treads that won't mark floors. The trolley was inspired by Alvar and his wife Aino's experience of British tea culture during their world travels, and also by their admiration for Japanese woodwork and architecture. Besides being an impressive and classic way to serve tea, the Tea Trolley 901 can also be used as a bar cart or a place to display art objects, pottery or plants. Made in Finland, the Tea Trolley 901 has a top surface made from high-pressure laminate. The trolley measures 22h x 35.5w x 19.75"d. Some assembly required. Both Alvar Aalto and the trolley's manufacturer, Artek, have work in MoMA's collection.
