$32,416
H 24.81 in W 23.63 in D 29.93 in
Armchair 42 “Little Paimio” Designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1931
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Armchair 42 “Small Paimio” designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1931. Bent birch and lacquered
Birch
$8,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.17 in W 37.41 in D 13.78 in
alvar & aino aalto 30's glass cabinet 408(506/42) finmar tag
By Aino Aalto, Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
alvar & aino aalto design glass cabinet. this is most earliest products of aalto furniture. alvar
Birch
$29,932 / set
H 26.97 in W 24.22 in D 29.53 in
Rare, Early Alvar Aalto Model 31/42 Cantilevered Armchairs, Finland, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare, early Alvar Aalto model 31/42 cantilevered armchairs, Finland, 1930s, designed and produced
Birch, Plywood
$50,688
H 24.22 in W 27.56 in D 30.71 in
Rare Armchair 'Small Paimio' Model 42 Designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1932
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare armchair 'Small Paimio' model 42 designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1932. Painted birch
Birch, Plywood
$4,130
H 27.96 in W 23.63 in D 29.53 in
Model 42 "Pikku Paimio" Armchair, Alvar Aalto, Artek, Late 20th Century
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 42 "Pikku Paimio" armchair, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, Late 20th Century
Birch, Paint
$4,130
H 27.96 in W 23.63 in D 29.53 in
Model 42 "Pikku Paimio" Armchair, Alvar Aalto, Artek, Late 20th Century
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 42 "Pikku Paimio" armchair, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, Late 20th Century
Birch, Paint
$5,000
H 28.25 in W 23.5 in D 29.5 in
1932 Artek No. 42 Small Paimio Lounge Chair in Birch by Alvar & Aino Aalto
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Aino Aalto
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a very special and unusual chair. It is an original Armchair 42, Small Paimio, designed by
Birch, Plywood
$14,729
H 24.81 in W 23.63 in D 29.93 in
Early Alvar Aalto Spring Chair Model 31, Silver Birch and Birch, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, FI
Rare version of one of the most iconic and finest furniture works from Alvar Aalto, the model 31
Birch, Plywood
$17,562
H 24.81 in W 23.63 in D 29.93 in
Early Alvar Aalto Spring Chair Model 31, Bent Plywood and Birch, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, FI
One of the most iconic and finest furniture works from Alvar Aalto, the model 31 (later 42) chair
Birch, Plywood
$25,116
H 24.81 in W 23.63 in D 29.93 in
Early Alvar Aalto Spring Chair Model 31, Bent Plywood and Birch, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
One of the most iconic and finest furniture works from Alvar Aalto, the model 31 (later 42) chair
Birch, Plywood
Alvar Aalto Lounge Chair Model 31/42, Finland, Circa 1935
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Culver City, CA
Alvar Aalto lounge chair model 31/42, Finland, Circa 1935. Deformed birch plywood, partly
Plywood
Little Paimio Cantilevered Chair by Alvar Aalto, Model 31/42
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Turku, Finland
"Little Paimio" chair 31/42 was originally created for the interior of a tuberculosis sanatorium in
Birch, Plywood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 23.63 in D 26.58 in
Armchair ‘Little Paimio’ #42 by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Laminated birch. Measures: H 72 cm/ 2' 4 3/8" W 60 cm/ 1' 11 5/8" D 67.5 cm/ 2' 2 5/8" SH 42
Birch, Plywood
Sold
H 29.73 in W 23.63 in D 26.58 in
Set of Early Model 42 'Little Paimio' Chairs by Alvar Aalto, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Se of early Alvar Aalto model 42 cantilevered 'Little Paimio' armchairs, Finland, circa 1930s
Birch, Plywood
Cantilever Lounge Chair Model 31/42 by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Atlanta, GA
Cantilever lounge chair model 31/42 by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland. This example is believed to
Birch, Bentwood
Sold
H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 27.56 in
Sheikki 'Aalto goes high' Graffiti Art on Alvar Aalto Chair Model 42, 2020
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, FI
Although this is one of the most iconic and finest furniture works from Alvar Aalto, the model 42
Birch, Plywood
Alvar Aalto Cantilever Lounge Chair, Model 31/42
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1932. The laminated birch frame produces a unique cantilevered shape
Birch, Plywood
Alvar Aalto Cantilever Lounge Chair, Model 31/42
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1932. The laminated birch frame produces a unique cantilevered shape
Birch
Armchair 42 by Alvar Aalto for Artek in Birch
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Brussels, BE
Armchair 42 – or “Small Paimio” – was designed by Alvar Aalto for the Paimio Sanatorium in 1932
Birch
Aalto Model 42 Armchair - Pair
By Artek
Located in Hudson, NY
Made in Finland by Artek. Birch plywood construction.Freshly painted black lacquer seats. Few scuffs and marks on arms. Overall, in very nice condition.Original design from 1932; thi...
Lacquer
Scandinavian Finnish Cantilevered Lounge Armchair by Alvar Aalto
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Belmont, MA
Rare midcentury Finnish lounge chair model 31/42 by Alvar Aalto, given the rich, deep patina of the
Birch
$82,000 / set
H 26.78 in W 35.44 in D 61.03 in
Ubald Klug DS-1025 "Terrazza" Sofa for De Sede, Brown Leather, 1974, Set of 4
By Ubald Klug, De Sede
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Ubald Klug DS-1025 "Terrazza" sofas for De Sede, brown leather, Switzerland, 1974, set of four. Ubald Klug designed this rare modular DS-1025 "Terrazza" sofa as a real living landsc...
Leather
Swedish Safari Armchair in Natural Cognac Leather and Birch
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Nordiska Kompaniet, armchair, leather, birch, Sweden, 1950s This elegant safari lounge chair is crafted from natural cognac brown leather, which has developed a beautiful patina ove...
Leather, Birch
Monumental Isamu Noguchi Akari 23N Floor Lamp
By Akari, Isamu Noguchi, Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Isamu Noguchi Akari 23N floor lamp. Executed in handmade washi paper and bamboo ribs with original Noguchi Akari manufacturer's stamp and metal legs. Akari light sculptures b...
Metal
$7,482
H 29.53 in W 88.19 in D 35.44 in
Large Expandable Alvar Aalto Wooden Dining Table Model 92, 1940s, Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This is a beautiful extending table model 92 by Alvar Aalto from 1940s. The body of the table is solid birch. The surface of the table is laminated by oak veneer. An extension leaf t...
Birch, Oak
$15,439 / item
H 32.68 in W 110.24 in D 40.56 in
Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery
By Munna Design Studio
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This sofa features a wonderfully elegant fan-shaped motif, with its accentuated curvy lines with decadent and lavish finish. The feminine curves are ravishingly enhanced by the diffe...
Velvet
$8,143 / item
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 35.44 in
Art Deco Streamline Armchair by Jindrich Halabala, c. 1940
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco- Streamline Armchair designed by Jindrich Halabala and manufactured by UP Závody Brno, ca 1940. This original Art Deco - Streamline Armchair is restored on request and avai...
Upholstery, Bentwood
$123,000
H 65.75 in W 59.85 in D 18.51 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-R-26-A Aluminium Book Case / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
That is a one-of-a-kind piece. Unique and outstanding, it holds a museum exhibit quality. An artefact for collectors and connoisseurs. A piece without any compromises. Highly valuabl...
Aluminum
$13,200 / item
H 33.47 in W 83.47 in D 31.5 in
GUFRAM BOCCA (LIPS) by Studio 65 (Registered Trademark)
By Gufram Furniture, Studio 65
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Bocca, the original 1970 lips-shaped couch is only Gufram's. This sensual couch, which is ideal for a tête-à-tête, has entered the collective imagination on par with Andy Warhol's wo...
Other
$1,800 / item
H 26 in W 18 in D 18 in
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak This Modern Cicely Counter Stool with Sheepskin Seat is beautifully constructed from solid white oak in Ohio, ...
Sheepskin, Wood, Oak
$1,275 / item
H 15 in W 13.5 in D 6 in
JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
$12,717Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 100.4 in D 37.8 in
Arflex Marenco Sofa in Fabric Heidi and Candy by Mario Marenco
By Mario Marenco, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Marenco Sofa is designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex. This sofa features the system with making the armrest and seat as the base portion. There is a metal tubular frame facilitated f...
Metal
$6,247 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood Denmark - 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood, Denmark - 1960s.
Wood
$86,750 / set
H 28.35 in Dm 46.07 in
Dining Set Designed by Alvar Aalto for Finmar Ltd., Finland, 1929
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dining set designed by Alvar Aalto for Finmar Ltd., Finland, 1929. Birch. Stamped. This rare dining set by the Finish design icon Alvar Aalto is characterised by the combination of...
Birch
Early Marco Zanuso Lady Chair, Italy, 1960s, New Pure Mohair
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An early, authentic Marco Zanuso lady chair, Arflex, Italy, 1960s. Newly reupholstered in a luxurious, premium, burnt orange / rust coloured 100% mohair fabric. Brass feet with nat...
Brass
$1,888 / set
H 21.66 in W 24.02 in D 35.83 in
Pair of Italian Mid-Century-Modern Lounge Chairs in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
Pair of Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs or club chairs. Modules can be used as a modular sofa or modular seating set. Beautiful and unique shape. A 1970 design and p...
Bouclé, Foam, Wood
An architect and designer, Alvar Aalto deserves an immense share of the credit for bringing Scandinavian modernism and Nordic design to a prominent place in the global arena. In both his buildings and his vintage furniture — which ranges from chairs, stools, tables and lighting to table- and glassware — Aalto’s sensitivity to the natural world and to organic forms and materials tempered the hardness of rationalist design.
Relatively few Aalto buildings exist outside Finland. (Just four exist in the United States, and only one — the sinuous 1945 Baker House dormitory at M.I.T. — is easily visited.) International attention came to Aalto, whose surname translates to English as “wave,” primarily through his furnishings.
Instead of the tubular metal framing favored by the Bauhaus designers and Le Corbusier, Aalto insisted on wood. His aesthetic is best represented by the Paimio armchair, developed with his wife, Aino Aalto, in 1930 as part of the overall design of a Finnish tuberculosis sanatorium.
Comfortable, yet light enough to be easily moved by patients, the Paimio chair’s frame is composed of two laminated birch loops; the seat and back are formed from a single sheet of plywood that scrolls under the headrest and beneath the knees, creating a sort of pillow effect. Aalto’s use of plywood had an enormous influence on Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Marcel Breuer and others who later came to the material.
Concerned with keeping up standards of quality in the production of his designs, Aalto formed the still-extant company Artek in 1935, along with Aino, whose glass designs were made by the firm. In the latter medium, in 1936 the Aaltos together created the iconic, undulating Savoy vase, so-called for the luxe Helsinki restaurant for which the piece was designed.
Artek also produced Aalto pendants and other lighting designs, many of which — such as the Angel’s Wing floor lamp and the Beehive pendant — incorporate a signature Aalto detail: shades made of concentric enameled-metal rings graduated down in diameter. The effect of the technique is essential Alvar Aalto: at once precise, simple, and somehow poetic.
Find a collection of vintage Alvar Aalto stools, vases, dining tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.