19th-Century English Regency Mahogany Three-Tier Butler’s Trolley Étagère

Details

Description

19th-Century English Regency Mahogany Three-Tier Butler’s Trolley Étagère

A handsome and unusually substantial English Regency mahogany three-tier serving trolley or … Read more 19th-Century English Regency Mahogany Three-Tier Butler’s Trolley Étagère

A handsome and unusually substantial English Regency mahogany three-tier serving trolley or étagère dating to the 19th century.
Three long, rectangular shelves provide generous display and serving space, each bordered by a restrained gallery designed to keep plates, bottles and serving pieces securely in place. The tiers are joined by beautifully reeded and tapering columnar supports, while architectural corner blocks and distinctive pierced, domed finials give the piece an especially refined silhouette.
Raised on turned legs with brass casters, the trolley can be moved easily for entertaining. During the Regency period, forms such as this were used in dining rooms and drawing rooms for presenting tea services, desserts, decanters and pastries while allowing household staff to withdraw—hence the traditional term “dumbwaiter.”
Today, its scale and open construction make it remarkably versatile. Use it as a bar or drinks trolley, dining-room server, library bookstand, open console, plant display or spectacular retail fixture. The beautifully figured mahogany and warm, time-developed patina make it every bit as decorative as it is useful.
Details
Origin: England
Date: First half of the 19th century, circa 1820–1840
Period: Late Regency to William IV
Style: English Regency / Neoclassical
Materials: Mahogany and brass
Features: Three fixed gallery shelves, reeded supports, decorative finials and brass casters
Dimensions: Approximately 49ʺH × 53ʺW × 18ʺD
Maker: Unknown See less