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Tea Cars & Bar Carts

Although the term "tea cart" was first used in 1817, the use of tea trolleys or wagons actually dates back to 18th century England. At that time small, elegant tables were used to serve the drink, then an expensive and exotic commodity.

Traditionally, tea carts took the form of a pair of removable shelves on castors that could be easily wheeled from the kitchen or butler's pantry to the room where tea was served. Tea carts were also use for the customary accompaniments to traditional high tea or before-dinner cocktails.

Fixtures in proper Victorian households, tea carts were essential accessories for entertaining. The room was ready for guests when it had a fine china tea pot, an array of stylish cups and saucers, finger sandwiches, condiments, and a freshly-picked bouquet of flowers.

When daily formal teas and luncheons began to fall out of favor in the 1930s, tea carts were adopted for new uses, namely as a cocktail service cart. Rolling bar carts are traditionally stocked with bottles of wine, spirits, liqueurs, bitters, vermouths, glasses, cocktail shakers, stirrers, and an ice bucket.

Fashioned from wood, wicker, brass, and wrought iron, both tea carts and bar carts hold a special allure for a certain segment of auction watchers.


Quick Facts

  • In a 2015 Screenbid auction, a glass and metal bar cart used in the hit TV series "Mad Men" sold for $1,300
  • A mid-century modern tea cart made from wood, laminate, glass, and stainless steel sold at a Skinner auction for $720
  • In 2014, an early-20th century Heywood-Wakefield wicker tea cart was picked up by a bidder at a Skinner auction for only $49

Recommended Items at Auction

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HARDWOOD KITCHEN ROLLING CART
Nov 08, 12:00 PM EST
HARDWOOD KITCHEN ROLLING CART
by Dennis Auction Service
Est: $200- $300
$701 Bid
Brass-Plated Steel and Marble "Gabby" Drinks Trolley
Nov 09, 10:00 AM CST
Brass-Plated Steel and Marble "Gabby" Drinks Trolley
by New Orleans Auction Galleries
Est: $400- $700
$2501 Bid
Wrought iron serving trolley with glass shelves (86 x 79 x 41cm)
Nov 14, 10:00 AM AEDT
Wrought iron serving trolley with glass shelves (86 x 79 x 41cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD151 Bid
Mid century Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast Boby trolley (53 x 44 x 41cm)
Nov 14, 10:00 AM AEDT
Mid century Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast Boby trolley (53 x 44 x 41cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD151 Bid
ITALIAN CARVED SWANS BAR CART / SERVICE TROLLEY
Nov 10, 10:00 AM CST
ITALIAN CARVED SWANS BAR CART / SERVICE TROLLEY
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $200- $400
$1500 Bids
Neolt
Nov 13, 7:00 PM CET
Neolt
by Vendu Rotterdam
Est: €100- €200
€500 Bids
BAR TROLLEY FROM THE 1930S/50S, R
Nov 16, 10:00 AM CET
BAR TROLLEY FROM THE 1930S/50S, R
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€600 Bids
LARGE WROUGHT IRON TWO-WHEELED GLASS-TOP CART
Nov 10, 10:00 AM CST
LARGE WROUGHT IRON TWO-WHEELED GLASS-TOP CART
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $200- $400
$1500 Bids
ITALIAN MAHOGANY TWO-TIER BAR CART / SERVICE TROLLEY
Nov 10, 10:00 AM CST
ITALIAN MAHOGANY TWO-TIER BAR CART / SERVICE TROLLEY
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $150- $350
$1000 Bids
Aesthetic Style Ebonized Bamboo Motif Bar Cart
Nov 17, 12:00 PM EST
Aesthetic Style Ebonized Bamboo Motif Bar Cart
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
Barwagen
Nov 22, 4:00 PM CET
Barwagen
by Peege Auktionshaus
Est: €0- €0
€500 Bids
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Carrello in vimini con due ruote in legno e doppio ripiano cm 85x115x73
Nov 13, 3:00 PM CET
Carrello in vimini con due ruote in legno e doppio ripiano cm 85x115x73
by Gliubich Casa d'Aste
Est: €400- €600
€2500 Bids
OSTUNI ANGELO
Nov 12, 3:00 PM CET
OSTUNI ANGELO
by Aste Boetto SRL
Est: €500- €550
€5000 Bids
Brass and Glass Cocktail Bar Cart
Dec 03, 11:00 AM EST
Brass and Glass Cocktail Bar Cart
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
Italian Marquetry Mahogany Bar Cart
Dec 03, 11:00 AM EST
Italian Marquetry Mahogany Bar Cart
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
ITALIAN TWO-TIER BAR CART / SERVICE TROLLEY
Nov 08, 10:00 AM CST
ITALIAN TWO-TIER BAR CART / SERVICE TROLLEY
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $200- $400
$1500 Bids
MAHOGANY, GRANITE AND STAINLESS STEEL SERVING CART FOR YOUR NEW YEARS EVE PARTY.
Nov 20, 11:00 AM EST
MAHOGANY, GRANITE AND STAINLESS STEEL SERVING CART FOR YOUR NEW YEARS EVE PARTY.
by Kamelot Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$3000 Bids
MAHOGANY, GRANITE AND STAINLESS STEEL SERVING CART FOR YOUR NEW YEARS EVE PARTY.
Nov 20, 11:00 AM EST
MAHOGANY, GRANITE AND STAINLESS STEEL SERVING CART FOR YOUR NEW YEARS EVE PARTY.
by Kamelot Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$3000 Bids
GABON SHOPPING CART
Nov 16, 11:00 AM EST
GABON SHOPPING CART
by Casco Bay Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
CARRELLO
Nov 13, 2:30 PM CET
CARRELLO
by Aste Boetto SRL
Est: €500- €550
€5000 Bids
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Carrello da buffet in ottone argentato e dorato con ripiani in vetro cm 73x124x46,5
Nov 13, 3:00 PM CET
Carrello da buffet in ottone argentato e dorato con ripiani in vetro cm 73x124x46,5
by Gliubich Casa d'Aste
Est: €300- €400
€2000 Bids
Two-part serving cart, France, 20th century
Nov 23, 10:00 AM CET
Two-part serving cart, France, 20th century
by Kunst- und Auktionshaus Quedlinburg
Est: €0- €0
€1800 Bids
AALTO ALVAR
Nov 12, 3:00 PM CET
AALTO ALVAR
by Aste Boetto SRL
Est: €800- €900
€8000 Bids
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe für Thonet
Nov 23, 10:00 AM CET
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe für Thonet
by Auktionshaus Arnold
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Tea Cars & Bar Carts


Austin Auction Gallery

Austin Auction Gallery

Aste Boetto SRL

Aste Boetto SRL

Lawsons

Lawsons

Eldred's

Eldred's