Neoclassical Three-Tier Silvered Brass Drinks Trolley by Maison Jansen, circa 1940

This elegant three-tier silvered brass drinks trolley is a characteristic creation of Maison Jansen at the height of its powers — the 1930s and 1940s, when the Parisian house excelled at reinterpreting the neoclassical vocabulary with an unrivalled precision and nobility of materials. The finely turned structure, the circular tiers with their moulded rims, and the gracefully curved original castors all testify to the extreme care lavished upon the conception and execution of this utilitarian object raised to the level of a decorative work of art.

Founded in Paris in 1880 by Henri Jansen, Maison Jansen established itself in the twentieth century as the world's most influential interior decoration house, furnishing the homes of crowned heads, presidents, and great international fortunes. Under the direction of Stéphane Boudin from the 1930s onwards, the house refined its approach to Louis XVI, Directoire, and Empire style, privileging silvering, gilding, and bronze as materials of excellence. Tiered trolleys intended for the salons and dining rooms of the most refined residences stand among the finest examples of their furniture production.

This piece presents in fine overall condition, with the beautiful antique patina of silvered brass characteristic of Jansen productions. It will find its natural place in an elegant drawing room — as an occasional table, tea table, or service trolley — carrying forward the legacy of the French art de vivre into the most discerning contemporary interiors.