Serving Trolley by Herbert Hirche, 1950s

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In the years following the second world war, a new generation of designers emerged in germany that distanced itself from … Read more In the years following the second world war, a new generation of designers emerged in germany that distanced itself from ornament and decoration. Herbert hirche belonged to this group. His designs were clear, functional, and architecturally structured, with a strong influence from bauhaus philosophy. This serving trolley was designed around 1956 for christian holzäpfel kg and clearly demonstrates this approach. A slender construction of black lacquered steel supports two shelves of ribbed textured glass. The lines are clean but nowhere harsh. The furniture appears light and open, while every component has a clear function. A special feature of this piece is the original wooden tray with a burgundy top layer. The warm wood and deep color provide contrast within the otherwise understated design. Together with the original industrial wheels, it gives the trolley an appearance that feels both technical and refined. Throughout his career, hirche worked not only as a designer but also played an important role in german design education. Additionally, he was involved in the development of modern design at braun. His work is situated at the intersection of architecture, furniture design, and industrial design, something that is clearly recognizable in this serving trolley as well. While many serving trolleys from the same period are primarily decorative, this design is built upon construction and functionality. It is precisely because of this that it has retained its contemporary relevance. The combination of steel, textured glass, and wood feels just as natural today as it did nearly seventy years ago. A rare design from christian holzäpfel's first production run, originating from a period when germany was reshaping its design culture. The example we have in stock is in very neat condition after careful cleaning. One of the glass shelves has minor damage on the corner, but this is concealed within the metal frame, making it virtually unnoticeable. This unique bar cart is ready for immediate use. Height 53 cm width 70 cm depth 46.5 cm See less