Josef Frank trolley

This trolley is a rare and highly collectible piece designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden during the 1940s. The structure is made of solid brass, featuring two tiers of original blue-tinted glass shelves. The trolley is equipped with one larger wheel and two smaller casters, allowing smooth mobility while maintaining an elegant profile.

The color scheme of the trolley combines the rich, warm golden hue of the aged brass with the striking, deep blue of the glass surfaces. The brass frame has developed a desirable patina over time, enhancing the trolley’s vintage character without compromising its structural integrity. The blue glass remains in original condition, offering a vivid, reflective surface that contrasts beautifully with the metalwork. The edges of the trays are bordered by a delicate perforated brass gallery, adding a refined decorative element to the functional design.

The overall form of the trolley is linear and geometric, with a slight curvature in the handle detail that introduces a subtle organic quality.

The condition of the trolley is very good, with small signs of usage consistent with age and careful use. The brass frame shows a uniform patina, and the glass surfaces are well preserved, maintaining their original luster with minimal wear.

Josef Frank, an Austrian-born architect and designer who became a central figure in Swedish design, is celebrated for his humanistic approach to modernism. His collaboration with Svenskt Tenn, beginning in the 1930s, produced an influential range of furniture and textiles that merged modernist principles with a vibrant, organic aesthetic. Svenskt Tenn, under the leadership of Estrid Ericson, became a pioneering platform for Frank’s vision, emphasizing craftsmanship, quality materials, and timeless design.

The use of brass and colored glass, alongside the trolley’s clean yet lively lines, exemplifies Frank’s break from the austerity of early modernism, offering instead a more inviting and decorative interpretation.

The dimensions of the trolley are 47 cm in width, 100 cm in depth, and 59 cm in height, corresponding to approximately 18.5 inches wide, 39.37 inches deep, and 23.23 inches high.