Walnut bar cart with glass shelves by Cesare Lacca, 1950s
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Particular and iconic serving or tea cart. The softly proportioned lines of the structure are made of walnut wood treated with a light protective varnish to give it a discreet and elegant shine, characteristic of Cesare Lacca carts. Two rectangular sheets of glass, one upper and the other lower, act as a table top and add a touch of sophistication and luxury to the overall design. For greater practicality and safety, the two glass sheets are inserted into grooves made in the wooden frame; thanks to this design, the cart offers ample space for storing and displaying bottles, glasses and other bar accessories. Two brass bars with a wooden insert in the center are positioned at the upper ends of the cart and act as handles to move it. The legs are equipped with classic casters that rotate 360 degrees. We can say with certainty that the cart is one of the many but unmistakable creations of designer Cesare Lacca. It was made between 1950 and 1955 at one of the many artisan carpentry workshops in Brianza (Lombardy, Italy), a historic location known for its designer furniture, made with great craftsmanship and where Lacca had most of his carts made (for the furniture he used high-level craftsmen in the Cantù area, in Lombardy). Born in Naples in 1929, Italian architect-scenographer-designer Cesare Lacca created modernist furniture and metal works in the 1950s. Like many, Lacca moved to Milan after World War II to launch his career. Details about his personal life and professional training are very sparse, but his works have left their mark both in Italy and abroad. Lacca is particularly known for his 1950s modern style furniture, which combined clean, essential geometric shapes; his pieces often featured curved details and lacquered or painted finishes that gave his creations a distinctive look. Lacca's most iconic works are undoubtedly his wooden bar carts; they are considered functional and decorative pieces highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of mid-century modern design. Over the course of his career, Lacca has designed a large number of tea and serving carts (which correspond to the majority of his pieces available on today's market), coffee tables and magazine racks, and although many different versions of the carts exist, all they have the same organic characteristics and soft lines. He participated in national and international exhibitions, including the Milan Triennials of 1951 and 1954 and, in 1950/1953, "Italy at Work", an important traveling exhibition that promoted Italian design in the United States. Roger says of him: "The variety and quality of his creations place him among the most influential architects and designers of the current modernist movement; the quality of his work shines through decorative effect, without giving in to exaggeration or effort". As regards the wooden structure, we did not think of carrying out any restoration because its veiled patina on the surface and the small imperfections make it truly fascinating and attest to its antiquity and authenticity. Furthermore, the restoration would have distorted the original paint of the cart, which is one of the fundamental characteristics of Lacca's works. The cart must necessarily be shipped disassembled, to avoid breaking the glass; we assure you that reassembly is very simple. For all our shipments we use special packaging materials (custom-made wooden crates, polystyrene, etc.) to guarantee maximum protection and safety of the objects.
ID: 4672-1692869261-70266