Italian Modernist Drinks Trolley Attributed to Carlo Cerbaro for Porada, c.1980

A rare and wonderfully sculptural Italian Modernist drinks trolley, dating from circa 1980 and attributed to Carlo Cerbaro for Porada Arredi.

Constructed from an ivory lacquered tubular metal frame with two clear glass shelves, the trolley features beautiful brass detailing throughout, including a raised bottle gallery to the lower shelf, circular handle finials and brass wheel hubs.

Perhaps its most distinctive feature is the pair of large transparent acrylic disc wheels, each finished with a black rubber tyre. This unusual wheel construction is closely related to documented serving trolleys designed by Carlo Cerbaro for Porada during the period, which share the same combination of lacquered tubular metal, glass and transparent disc wheels.

Carlo Cerbaro had an established relationship with Porada from the company's formative years, designing furniture and accessories for the Italian manufacturer. Surviving Porada trolleys attributed to Cerbaro demonstrate a remarkably similar approach to construction and detailing.

We have not yet located this particular brass-trimmed model in an original Porada catalogue and therefore offer the piece as attributed to Carlo Cerbaro for Porada Arredi. Research into the model is ongoing. An exceptionally unusual piece of Italian design and a superb statement drinks trolley.