Refined bar cart by Cesare Lacca, made in Italy in the 1950s, a full expression of the most sophisticated Italian mid-century taste.
The brass structure outlines a light and harmonious composition, in which slender lines intertwine with natural elegance, while the faux bamboo inserts introduce an exotic decorative note, a recurring stylistic hallmark in Lacca’s production.
The double transparent glass shelves, framed by curved metal profiles, appear almost suspended within the structure, enhancing the sense of visual lightness.
The intersecting lines provide solidity without weighing down the form, creating a refined balance between function and decoration.
The original wheels and integrated handle complete the piece, emphasizing its dynamic character and functional elegance. The contrast between the warm patina of the brass and the texture of the faux bamboo results in a sophisticated and timeless image, perfectly representative of post-war Italian aesthetics.
A bar cart of great charm, capable of standing out as a focal element, ideal both as a bar cart and as a refined decorative complement in mid-century interiors, eclectic settings, or collections of vintage Italian design.
Product Name: Cesare Lacca Cart in Faux Bamboo and Brass, 1950
Designer: Cesare Lacca
Year of Design: 1950s
Style: Italian Mid-Century, with modernist influences and exotic decorative details typical of Lacca’s production
Main Materials: Brass structure with faux bamboo inserts; double transparent glass shelves; original wheels and integrated metal handle
Distinctive Design: Light and harmonious brass structure characterized by slender lines elegantly intertwined. Faux bamboo inserts introduce an exotic accent recurring in the designer’s aesthetic language. The double glass shelves, framed by curved metal profiles, appear suspended within the structure, enhancing visual lightness. Intersecting lines provide stability without adding heaviness, creating a refined balance between function and decoration.
Dimensions:
Comfort: Equipped with original wheels and integrated handle for easy movement; stable and well-proportioned structure designed for practical and dynamic use
Typical Use: Bar cart or serving cart; decorative element for living rooms, dining rooms or representative environments
Design Icon: Emblematic example of Cesare Lacca’s 1950s production, designer selected for the exhibition Italy at Work: Her Renaissance in Design Today, which between 1950 and 1953 presented the best of Italian design in 12 American museums. In that context Lacca exhibited alongside Carlo Mollino, Franco Albini and Gio Ponti. His brass work was praised by curator Meyric R. Rogers for the “variety and quality of his creations,” recognizing him among the most influential designers of the modernist movement.
Versatility: Ideal as a statement piece in mid-century interiors, eclectic settings or vintage Italian design collections; equally effective in contemporary spaces as a strong personality element
Current Condition: Good overall condition with brass patina consistent with age; any signs of time contribute to the authentic charm of the piece without affecting stability or functionality
Additional Notes: Please note that this object is in excellent vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present, which do not affect its functionality. We kindly invite you to consider these characteristics before purchasing.
Cesare Lacca was an Italian designer and architect active mainly between the 1940s and the 1960s, known for his elegant and functional furnishings, often characterized by great attention to artisanal detail and a refined modernist taste.
Trained in Milan, the epicenter of postwar design culture, Lacca became especially famous for his bar carts and serving tables produced in the 1950s, many of which are now considered icons of Italian mid-century design. His creations combined light, organic lines with fine materials such as brass, bent wood, glass and fabric or leather upholstery.
His stylistic language oscillated between rationalist sobriety and the sensuality of curves, with a particular predilection for sculptural details. Some of his armchairs and seating pieces stand out for enveloping backrests, tapered legs and refined finishes, elements that place them among the finest Italian productions of the postwar period.
Many pieces signed by Cesare Lacca were produced by excellence manufacturers such as ISA Bergamo (Industria Salotti e Arredamenti), a company that in the same years collaborated with great masters such as Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa, Ignazio Gardella and Nino Zoncada. This network of collaborations allowed Lacca to operate within a highly innovative context, where artisanal tradition and international modernity met.
Today his works are highly sought after by collectors and international markets: his brass and glass bar carts, as well as armchairs and side tables, frequently appear in major design auctions and in galleries specialized in Italian modernism.
The production of Cesare Lacca bears witness to the creative energy of postwar Italian design, characterized by a harmonious synthesis of function, elegance and craftsmanship.