Neoclassical Brass Drinks Trolley with Removable Trays by Maison Baguès, French Work, Circa 1940

An exquisite neoclassical drinks trolley in polished brass by Maison Baguès, featuring two removable trays — both upper and lower — that function independently as drinks or service trays when lifted from their brass frame. The structure is carried on slender tapering legs fitted with castor wheels for smooth mobility throughout a room, the classical mouldings of the frame combining with the ingenious removable tray feature to create a piece of both functional excellence and great decorative refinement. French work by Maison Baguès, circa 1940.

This trolley is a production of Maison Baguès, the celebrated Parisian bronze foundry and decorative arts house established in the mid-19th century on the Boulevard du Temple. Baguès became one of the most prestigious names in French decorative metalwork, renowned for their mastery of brass, bronze, and gilt metal and for the exceptional quality of their lighting and furniture. Their pieces were coveted by the most eminent decorators of the Art Deco and mid-century periods — including Henri Samuel, Emilio Terry, and Maison Jansen — and adorned the finest private interiors and luxury establishments of Paris and beyond. A drinks trolley from the Baguès workshops represents the intersection of luxury craftsmanship and functional elegance that defined the best French decorative production of the era.

The drinks trolley with removable trays is one of the most practical and charming objects in the French service tradition, allowing the gracious presentation of drinks to be performed with effortless elegance. This Baguès example elevates the form to a work of decorative art, its architectural brass structure and the ingenuity of its detachable trays making it a conversation piece as much as a service object. Whether used in a drawing room, dining room, or library, it combines convivial function with the unmistakable authority of one of the great names in 20th-century French decorative metalwork.