A rare 1960s bar trolley, attributed to the design and in the manner of Niels Erik Glasdam Jensen, Denmark. Crafted in richly figured walnut, the trolley has a striking cabinet form that transforms as the two halves slide apart, revealing a cleverly designed bar and serving interior. Note the attached video.
The open interior provides generous storage for bottles, glasses and barware, with original sliding glass panels, a raised drinks shelf and the retained original painted white base. When extended, the trolley creates a good serving and mixing area, while closing neatly into a compact and exceptionally stylish cabinet.
The top surfaces have been updated with new black acrylic, secured with solid brass fasteners that complement the warm walnut. As the original handles were no longer present, slim black metal handles were added and secured with solid brass fittings, deliberately chosen to remain understated and sympathetic to the original design.
Set on vintage castors for easy movement, this is an unusual and highly functional piece of 1960s design; part drinks cabinet, part serving trolley and a real statement piece whether displayed open or closed.
Design note: No maker’s marks or identifying labels are present any longer, and significant restorative changes have been made to the piece. However, its original construction, form and distinctive design details bear a strong similarity to researched examples by Niels Erik Glasdam Jensen; the reference is therefore made on a stylistic basis only, rather than as a confirmed attribution. The price is therefore appropriate to a non-confirmed attribution.
Condition:
The wood has been fully restored, refinished and sealed. New black acrylic has been fitted to the top surfaces and upper interior shelf, both to complement the design and to provide a refined solution to areas of historic damage that were professionally repaired during restoration.
The original sliding glass panels remain in place and show some surface scratches consistent with age and use. Overall, the trolley presents extremely well, with later additions carefully selected to complement rather than overpower the original design.
Dimensions:
88cm W x 50cm D x 75cm H
Closed top width 80cm W
Extended width 126.5cm W
Shipping Information:
If you are purchasing an item and you are based in Cape Town, Durban, or any area outside Gauteng, please select the 'LOCAL PICK-UP' option at check-out and do not choose a shipment option.
Please be aware that we cannot reserve any items until transportation or shipping arrangements have been finalized. Therefore, it is important to purchase the item and proceed with the checkout process.
After your purchase is complete, you are welcome to arrange your own method of transport. If you require our assistance, we can help you obtain a shipping quote based on the dimensions & volumetric weight of the item(s) you have bought.
Please email us at shop@retrend.co.za so we can provide cost estimates for shipping to your area from our preferred suppliers. For more detailed information, please refer to our shipping policy.
Note/Disclaimer:
Our images form part of the item description. While we make every effort to restore our furniture to its original state, most pieces date from the 1950s to the late 1970s. As a result, and despite restoration, signs of their vintage nature and previous life may still be visible. Light traces of restoration may remain visible, consistent with authentic vintage furniture. In some cases, minor adjustments may also have been made during the restoration process to ensure the piece remains functional and usable. We will point out any notable aspects where possible. We encourage in-store viewing or careful review of photographs before purchase.
Transport & Handling Note:
All items are carefully wrapped and prepared for transport by us (not the courier) to ensure safe handling. Once items leave our premises, we cannot take responsibility for their treatment by third-party transporters. We strongly recommend arranging goods-in-transit insurance for comprehensive protection.
Due to the fragility of glass, we do not recommend shipping glass items outside of Gauteng.
For the full shipping policy, please refer to our Shipping Policy for more information: https://retrend.co.za/policies/shipping-policy
As with many Mid-Century pieces, this item features a thoughtful combination of solid wood and high-quality wood veneer. Veneer has a long and respected tradition in furniture making, valued for both its aesthetic and structural benefits. When crafted with skill and applied in substantial thickness, vintage veneer proves highly durable, allowing for careful restoration, including retouching, sanding, and refinishing without compromising the integrity of the piece.