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Drakes Silverplate Carving Trolley
Drakes Silverplate Carving Trolley
Drakes Silverplate Carving Trolley
Drakes Silverplate Carving Trolley
Drakes Silverplate Carving Trolley
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Drakes Silverplate Carving Trolley

  • This exceptional Drakes silverplate and mahogany carte de boeuf is a part of dining history
  • The item was used at Simpson’s-in-the-Strand, one of London’s oldest and most celebrated restaurants
  • This Art Deco trolley epitomizes the elegance of Simpson's service with a rotating domed lid
  • Drakes Silversmiths Limited was one of London's finest silversmiths of the time
  • Get complete item description here
$24,500
Item No. 31-9218

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Description
Silverplate Carving Trolley
Drakes Silversmiths Limited
Circa 1930

This exceptional Drakes silverplate and mahogany carte de boeuf—a remarkable roast beef carving trolley—is a true artifact of dining history from the legendary Simpson’s-in-the-Strand, one of London’s oldest and most celebrated restaurants. Crafted by Drakes Silversmiths Limited, one of London's finest silversmiths of the time, this trolley exemplifies both exquisite craftsmanship and enduring tradition.

Simpson’s, established in 1828 and part of the Savoy buildings, has. . .
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Silverplate Carving Trolley
Drakes Silversmiths Limited
Circa 1930

This exceptional Drakes silverplate and mahogany carte de boeuf—a remarkable roast beef carving trolley—is a true artifact of dining history from the legendary Simpson’s-in-the-Strand, one of London’s oldest and most celebrated restaurants. Crafted by Drakes Silversmiths Limited, one of London's finest silversmiths of the time, this trolley exemplifies both exquisite craftsmanship and enduring tradition.

Simpson’s, established in 1828 and part of the Savoy buildings, has long been an emblem of English tradition and luxury. Frequented by notable figures like Winston Churchill, King Charles III, Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, it remains a quintessential dining destination, even visited fictitiously by Sherlock Holmes in Doyle's The Adventure of the Dying Detective.

At the heart of Simpson’s dining experience is the roast beef trolley, introduced in 1848 to ensure chess players—who gathered at the restaurant for intense matches—could enjoy their meals without interrupting their games. This innovative tradition of carving roast beef tableside quickly became the restaurant's signature, solidifying its reputation for blending culinary excellence with a sense of occasion. To this day, roast beef from the iconic carving trolley remains the most famous dish at Simpson’s, celebrated for its exceptional quality and rich heritage.

This Art Deco trolley epitomizes the elegance of Simpson's service. Its large oval domed lid rotates smoothly to reveal an interior fitted with two removable bowls and an aluminum cutting board, ensuring precise carving. The ingenious design includes end handles for easy maneuverability, spirit containers for warming and a mahogany stand with cabriole legs joined by shaped shelves. The top shelf features an elongated silverplated tray with a solid gallery. This carte de boeuf was also part of the iconic Red McCombs collection, which has been highly publicized and studied.

Signed “Drakes Silversmiths Limited / Model D6 No. 1171”

48" high x 39" wide x 24" deep

Provenance:
Simpson’s-in-the-Strand, London
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Red McCombs Collection, Texas
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
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Drakes Silverplate Carving Trolley
Period: 20th Century
Origin: England
Type: Meat Trolleys
Style: Art Deco
Depth: 24.0 in. (60.96 cm)
Width: 39.0 in. (99.06 cm)
Height: 48.0 in. (121.92 cm)
Drakes Silverplate Carving Trolley
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Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

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The M.S. Rau Difference

The M.S. Rau Difference

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Since 1912, M.S. Rau has been recognized as a leader in the antiques industry and today our collections of rare silver, furniture, clocks, porcelain, glass and objets d'art are second to none. Our commitment to curating the world’s most extraordinary and beautiful treasures has remained steadfast and our acquisition philosophy is simple: seek out and acquire only the very finest works whose provenance, beauty and rarity set them apart from all others. Our clients can be certain that each and every piece in our gallery has been hand-selected and carefully vetted for authenticity, condition and provenance. And, because our network of contacts spans generations, we are often able to acquire pieces that may have otherwise never been available on the market.

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