Neoclassical Style Brass Drinks Trolley with Removable Trays, Maison Jansen, Circa 1940

This distinguished neoclassical style drinks trolley in brass is an elegant work by Maison Jansen, the legendary Parisian decorating house that defined French luxury interior design throughout the twentieth century. Produced circa 1940, the piece features a refined brass structure inspired by the formal language of Louis XVI and Empire furniture, with two removable trays that add both practicality and visual interest. The warm lustre of the polished brass, combined with the neoclassical precision of the design, creates a piece that embodies the sophisticated elegance for which Maison Jansen was celebrated across the world.

Under the masterful direction of Stéphane Boudin (1888–1967), Maison Jansen became the definitive reference for classical French decoration in the modern era, combining historical rigour with the practical requirements of contemporary living. The drinks trolley — a piece that gained great favour in sophisticated French and Anglo-American interiors of the 1930s and 1940s — was an ideal vehicle for the Jansen aesthetic, its inherent practicality elevated by the quality of its materials and the perfection of its proportions. The removable trays make this piece as serviceable today as when it was first produced.

This drinks trolley would be an exceptional addition to any drawing room or dining room. Its neoclassical brass structure brings an air of refinement and historical culture to the ritual of the apéritif or cocktail hour, while its removable trays make it as practical as it is beautiful. A quintessential work by one of the greatest names in French decorative arts, combining utility, beauty, and a timeless sense of Parisian luxury.