Drop Leaf Trolley
Vintage 1960s Carts and Bar Carts
Teak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Teak
Vintage 1950s Italian Carts and Bar Carts
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serving Tables
Birch
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Mahogany, Glass
1990s Carts and Bar Carts
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Bronze
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Carts and Bar Carts
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Drop Leaf Trolley For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Drop Leaf Trolley?
Finding the Right Bar-carts for You
Forever a sleek and elegant furnishing that evokes luxury and sophistication, a vintage bar cart will prove both functional and fabulous in your living room.
Bar carts as we know them were originally conceived as tea trolleys — a modest-sized table on wheels, sometimes featuring both an upper and lower shelf — to help facilitate tea service during the Victorian era in England. Modern bar carts weren’t really a common fixture in American interiors until after the end of Prohibition in the 1930s, when they were rolled onto the sets of Hollywood films. There, they suggested wealth and status in the dining rooms of affluent characters.
As tough as the 1930s had been on the average working American, the postwar era yielded economic stability and growth in homeownership. Increasingly, bar carts designed by the likes of Edward Wormley and other furniture makers became an integral part of sunken living rooms across the United States in the 1950s.
Bar carts were a must-have addition to the sensuous and sleek low-profile furnishings that we now call mid-century modern, each outfitted with the finest spirits and savory snacks that people had to offer. And partially owing to critical darlings like Mad Men, vintage cocktail carts have since seen a resurgence and have even become a selling point in restaurants.
Bar carts not only boast tremendous utilitarian value but also introduce a fun, nostalgic dynamic to the layout of your space, be it in the bar area or elsewhere. In addition to showcasing your favorite bottles of rye and local small-batch gin — or juices and mocktail ingredients — there is an undeniable allure to stacking statement glassware, vintage martini cocktail shakers and Art Deco decanter sets atop your fully stocked mid-century modern bar cart. And one size or style doesn’t fit all — an evolution of cocktail cart design throughout history has yielded all manner of metal bar carts, rattan carts and more.
We invite you to add a few more dashes of class to cocktail hour — peruse the vast collection of antique and vintage carts and bar carts on 1stDibs today.
- What is a drop-leaf table?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A drop-leaf table has a fixed section in the center and a hinged section, or leaf, on each side that can be folded down.
- How do I date a drop-leaf table?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To date a drop-leaf table, first look for saw marks. If you see straight ones, your table likely dates back to before the early 19th century. Pieces made after should show curved saw marks. A licensed furniture appraiser can assist you with determining an exact date. Find a range of expertly vetted drop-leaf tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023The first drop-leaf tables emerged during the era of the early 17th century. These first pieces usually feature a gate leg that swings out to support the leaf. Drop-leaf tables with side brackets debuted in the early 19th century. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of drop-leaf tables.
- How does a drop leaf table work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021A drop-leaf table features a fixed section and one or more foldable sections. The well-made hinges hold the fixed and foldable sections and allow the leaves to pop up. These sections are anchored with the help of swing-out legs for secure placement. Find antique and vintage drop-leaf tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A drop-leaf table is a type of table that has a fixed portion in the center and foldable portions on either side joined by hinges. These foldable portions can be dropped and closed to save space when the table is not in use. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage drop leaf dining tables.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023While you can look for markings and other details to try and determine the maker, the best way to identify an antique drop leaf table is to work with a certified appraiser. Trusted online venues and search engines can be helpful when conducting research on a specific collectible, piece of jewelry, art work or other item about which you may have questions, but qualified professionals, such as an antiques dealer or an appraiser at an auction house, have the knowledge and experience needed to make more accurate identifications. Shop a selection of antique, vintage and modern tables on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024To tell how old your drop leaf table is, first see if it bears a maker's mark. Looking up this marking using trusted online resources can enable you to identify the maker. From there, you can conduct further research to determine when it was in business and crafting tables like yours. For unmarked tables, it is generally necessary to become familiar with the various styles of drop leaf tables, such as the 17th-century Gateleg table, recognizable by the stretchers that connect its legs, and the 18th-century Pembroke table, which typically has two drawers. However, contemporary reproductions of these types of tables exist, making it difficult to date pieces without training and experience. As a result, you may wish to use the services of a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of drop leaf tables.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023The difference between a gateleg table and a drop leaf table is the design of the section that you can raise to expand the piece. On a drop leaf table, the extension does not have any lower support. A gateleg table has a leg that swings out to rest beneath the extension. Find a selection of tables from some of the world's best sellers on 1stDibs.
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