Artek Cart Tea Trolley 901
Artek Cart Tea Trolley 901
Artek Cart Tea Trolley 901
Artek Cart Tea Trolley 901
Artek Cart Tea Trolley 901
Artek Cart Tea Trolley 901
Artek Cart Tea Trolley 901
Artek Cart Tea Trolley 901

Tea Trolley 901

$4,255

Made by Artek

Designed by Alvar Aalto

Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936, the Tea Trolley 901 is one of the most quietly considered objects in the Artek canon. Its form emerges from two continuous bent-birch loops, a structural gesture that gives the piece its characteristic lightness and visual rhythm. Oversized wheels allow effortless movement, while the recessed tray surfaces, available in linoleum or laminate, hold their cargo with a calm, practical elegance.

Aalto drew from two distinct cultural sources: the British tradition of the tea trolley as a domestic ritual object, and the precision of Japanese craft, where utility and beauty are understood as inseparable. The result is a piece that functions equally well as a serving cart or a composed object in a room.

  • Frame constructed from bent birch with a solid birch handle
  • Two recessed trays in linoleum or high-pressure laminate
  • Large-diameter wheels for smooth, controlled movement
  • Designed 1936, in continuous production by Artek

Typically ships in 12-14 weeks.

Pairs well with

Product Details

Details
  • Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936
  • Manufactured by Artek
  • Inspiration drawn from British tea rituals and Japanese woodwork and architecture
  • Frame made of form-bent solid birch lamella
  • Top and shelf made of high-pressure HPL, IKI white
  • Wheels crafted from MDF and fitted with protective rubber treads
  • Lightweight and easily maneuverable
  • Made in Finland with a blend of craftsmanship and functional elegance
Measurements

H × W × D
22 × 19.75 × 35.5 in.
56 × 50 × 90 cm.

Shipping & Returns

Please refer to our shipping and return & exchange policy.

Warranty

Luminaire is an authorized retailer of Artek. The product comes with a full manufacturer warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials is the Tea Trolley 901 made from?

The frame and handle are solid birch, with the structural loops formed from Artek's signature bent birch technique. The two tray surfaces are available in either linoleum or high-pressure laminate, each offering distinct texture and character.

When did Alvar Aalto design the Tea Trolley 901?

Aalto designed the Tea Trolley 901 in 1936. It has remained in continuous production by Artek and is considered one of the definitive examples of Scandinavian modernist furniture design.

What is the difference between the linoleum and laminate tray options?

Linoleum offers a softer, matte surface with natural warmth and slight texture, while high-pressure laminate provides a harder, more resilient finish. The choice often comes down to the intended use and the surrounding material palette of a space.

How does the Tea Trolley 901 hold up to daily use?

The 901 was conceived as a functional object, not merely a display piece. Bent birch is structurally sound and resilient, and both tray surface options are suited to regular use, though linoleum requires slightly more care with moisture.

What influenced Aalto's design of the Tea Trolley 901?

Aalto cited both British tea culture, with its tradition of the wheeled trolley as a domestic ritual, and Japanese craft philosophy, which prizes the fusion of form and function. These influences shaped the trolley's proportions, material choices, and refined simplicity.

Brand & Designer

Artek
Aalto Table 91

Artek

Founded in 1935 in Helsinki, Finland, Artek specializes in furniture, lighting, and interior objects that unite modernist design, natural materials, and timeless Nordic functionality.
Alvar Aalto
Aalto Vase

Alvar Aalto

A Finnish architect and designer whose work joined modernism, nature, and human comfort with enduring clarity and sculptural warmth.