Sorrento Inlay Deco Bar Cart in the style of Salvatore Gargiulo, Italy, 1930s

A bar trolley made in Italy during the mid-20th century modern, emblem of the extraordinary skills of Italian craftsmen. The inlay work that decorates both levels of the Cart is typical of the Sorrento area and depicts light and fantastic figures; plant forms mixed with human figures, extravagant animals and narrative scenes such as the bird of prey challenging a snake in the dense central decoration. The wooden inlay, in Sorrento, experienced its maximum splendor at the beginning of the 19th century and levels of almost perfection, following the birth of the school applied to the inlay and carving industry (1886). The fortunate historical moment in which the Sorrento production flourished coincided with the period of the Grand Tour, characterized by the continuous influx of artists and writers of the time in the Land of the Sirens. This phenomenon, therefore, allowed the local masters both to absorb the influences of the many foreign artists who stayed here, as well as to perfect their inlay and composition techniques. This cultural mix favored the creation of superb objects that ranged from the creation of panels to that of caskets; from that of furniture. The trolley is in good vintage condition. The wheels slide easily and the surface has been polished with a specific product to preserve the patina of time. The Bar Cart however shows minimal signs of use and time visible in the photos.