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Retro Artek Stool

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Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Blue Linoleum, Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Artek stool in birch and blue linoleum, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in the
Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Retro Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Blue Linoleum, Artek
Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Blue Linoleum, Artek
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H 17.33 in Dm 13.59 in
Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Birch, 1950s Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Artek stool in birch and beautiful dark patina, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Retro Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Birch, 1950s  Artek
Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Birch, 1950s  Artek
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H 17.33 in Dm 13.59 in
Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Black Linoleum, Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Artek stool in birch and black linoleum, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in the
Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Retro Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Black Linoleum, Artek
Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Black Linoleum, Artek
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H 17.33 in Dm 13.59 in
A Pair of Alvar Aalto Stools Model 60 In Birch, 1950s Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A pair of Artek stools in birch and muliti layered colourful beautiful patina, designed by Alvar
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Green Linoleum
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Artek stool in birch and green linoleum, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in the
Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Retro Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Green Linoleum
Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60 In Green Linoleum
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H 17.33 in Dm 13.59 in
Extremely Rare Perttu Mentula Sauna / Sports Stool for Artek, 1960s
By Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Artek. This "active man stool" as it was called was only produced for a short time in the mid 1960s by
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Pine

Alvar Aalto Bar Stool Artek K65
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Oakland, CA
Vintage Alvar Aalto Bar Stool for Artek, model K65 in original finish. Measurements W 13,5’’ x D 14
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Retro Alvar Aalto Bar Stool Artek K65
Alvar Aalto Bar Stool Artek K65
H 28 in W 13.5 in D 14 in
Alvar Aalto, Stool X601 for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This stool was designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek originally in the 1950s. We have noticed through
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Birch

Retro Alvar Aalto, Stool X601 for Artek
Alvar Aalto, Stool X601 for Artek
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H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Alvar Aalto "Model 60" Stool for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 60 three-legged stool by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, c.1950s. The stool features a
Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Stool model 60, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Stool model 60 by Alvar Aalto for Artek from the 1950s. Lacquered birch and linoleum top. Good
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Stool X600 for Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Even though simple, this stool comes with great quality and attention to details. The less common X
Category

1950s Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Birch

Alvar Aalto Stool X600 for Artek, 1950s
Alvar Aalto Stool X600 for Artek, 1950s
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H 17.72 in Dm 14.97 in
Alvar Aalto Stool X600 for Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Even though simple, this stool comes with great quality and attention to details. The less common X
Category

1960s Finnish Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Birch

Alvar Aalto Stool X600 for Artek, 1960s
Alvar Aalto Stool X600 for Artek, 1960s
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H 17.72 in Dm 14.97 in
Model 60 Stools, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950s/1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Three model 60 stools by Alvar Aalto for Artek from the 1950s/1960s. Birch and imitation leather
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Faux Leather, Birch

Alvar Aalto Model 60 Stool for Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Model 60 Stool by Alvar Aalto for Artek from the 1960s. Birch frame with linoleum top. Good vintage
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Rare Stool Model 60, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Stool model 60 by Alvar Aalto for Artek from the 1950s. Birch with rare color imitation leather
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Faux Leather, Birch

Rare stool model 60, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Stool model 60 by Alvar Aalto for Artek from the 1950s. Birch with rare color imitation leather
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Faux Leather, Birch

Alvar Aalto “X602” Stool for Artek, Finland 1960
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A beautiful and rare stool, model “X602”, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in
Category

1960s Finnish Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Wood

Model 60 Stool, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950/1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Model 60 Stool, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1950/1960s. Birch frame, rare color
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Model 60 Stool, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950/1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Model 60 Stool, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1950/1960s. Birch with rare wine
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto X602 Stool for Artek, circa 1950
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
'Fan leg' stool, model no. X602 designed by Alvar Aalto. Manufactured by Artek, Finland, circa
Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Wood

Alvar Aalto X602 Stool for Artek, circa 1950
Alvar Aalto X602 Stool for Artek, circa 1950
H 18.12 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Alvar Aalto Stool 60, 1960's, Artek Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Turku, FI
Iconic Aalto three-legged stool. Stool 60 was officially unveiled to an enthusiastic public in
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Stool 60, 1960's, Artek Finland
Alvar Aalto Stool 60, 1960's, Artek Finland
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H 17.33 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Alvar Aalto Stool 60, 1960's, Artek Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Turku, FI
Iconic Aalto three-legged stool. Stool 60 was officially unveiled to an enthusiastic public in
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Stool 60, 1960's, Artek Finland
Alvar Aalto Stool 60, 1960's, Artek Finland
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H 17.33 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
K65 Stool by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 70’s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Padova, IT
Stool mod. K65 was designed by Alvar Aalto between 1933 and 1935. The height is designed for
Category

1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto, Set of Commissioned Stools by Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful set of three commisioned iconic 60 stool. These stools are higher than the standard
Category

1950s Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Bent Birch Wood K65 Stool By Alvar Aalto For Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern, counter height stool designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek features a bent birch
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Laminate, Birch

Set of Two Model 60 Stools, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Set of two model 60 stools by Alvar Aalto for Artek from the 1950s. Birch with imitation leather
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Faux Leather, Birch

Set of 3 Alvar Alto Stool 60 by Artek, Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in New York, NY
Set of 3 vintage original vintage Alvar Alto 60 stools from early 1960s. From a private home with
Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Bentwood, Birch

Important Pair of 'X602' Stools by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1954
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Very rare pair of model ‘X602’ stools designed by Alvar Aalto around 1954. Made of a birch tripod
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Birch

Early Alvar Aalto for Artek Birch and Black Laminate Stool 60
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Garnerville, NY
A good and early example by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Sweden bentwood birch and black laminate Stool
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Laminate, Birch, Bentwood

Alvar Aalto, Pair of X601 Stools, Artek
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
This stool was designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek originally in the 1950s. We have noticed
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Birch

Alvar Aalto, Pair of X601 Stools, Artek
Alvar Aalto, Pair of X601 Stools, Artek
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Set of Three "Pirkka" Stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Artek, Finland, 1950s
By Artek, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of three stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara, from the furniture line “Pirkka”. Cool, rounded design
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Pine

Pair of 1960s Birch Wood K65 Alvar Aalto Stools by Artek-- 2 Pieces
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Madison, WI
Dimensions: 13.5" seat diameter 24" Seat height 28" total height Sold as a pair of two stools
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto, "X600" Stool, Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Gatos, CA
Alvar Aalto, 1960s 'X600' stool for Artek. Fan-shaped birch legs, upholstered black leather seat
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Birch

Alvar Aalto X600 Stool, Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Argelato, BO
Alvar Aalto, Birch Stool, Model X600, by Artek, circa 1960s. A naturally colored Alvar Aalto' s
Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto X600 Stool, Artek, 1960s
Alvar Aalto X600 Stool, Artek, 1960s
H 17.72 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Alvar Aalto Stool for Artek, circa 1960
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1960. Manufactured by Artek, (Finland) Leather top, wood legs
Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Wood

Alvar Aalto's iconic Stool 60, from Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Alvar Aalto's iconic Stool 60, from Artek 1950s, s the epitome of minimalistic furniture, versatile
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Artek Mid-Century Modern High Stools 2
Located in New York, NY
Alvar Aalto (Finish, 1898 - 1976) for Artek Mid-Century Modern set of two high chairs or stools in
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Wood

Alvar Aalto pair of Stool X600 for Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
here and there. These stools were manufactured by O.Y. Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas A.B. for Artek
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Birch

Alvar Aalto pair of Stool X600 for Artek, 1950s
Alvar Aalto pair of Stool X600 for Artek, 1950s
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H 17.72 in Dm 14.97 in
Alvar Aalto Stool in Leather for Artek, circa 1960
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1960. Manufactured by Artek (Finland). New leather top, wood
Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Eero Aarnio Juttu Wicker & Bamboo Mushroom Stool Artek Finland 1960s
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Troy, MI
An original vintage Juttu stool designed by Eero Aarnio for Artek Finland circa 1961 Mushroom form
Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker

Alvar Aalto - Vintage Tripod Stool Model 60 - Two Tone - Birch
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Hasselt, VLI
This two-tone tripod stool was designed by the Finnish designer Alvar Aalto (1898 - 1976) in the
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Vintage Midcentury Alvar Aalto stool, model "Y61", Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lovely stool by Alvar Aalto, model “Y 61”. Made from birch with flowing lines, wreathed rattan seat.
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Rattan, Birch

Set of 2 Early Alvar Aalto Stools, Finland, 1950's
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of 2 early Alvar Aalto stools in bentwood for Artek, Finland 1950s. The stools have a nice
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Bentwood

1954 Alvar Aalto stool model X601 & X602 in patinated birch and Niger leather
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in København K, 84
Aalto, is known for its production of Aalto's designs, including this stool model. Artek's dedication to
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Birch

1954 Alvar Aalto stool model X601 in rich patinated birch and Niger leather
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in København K, 84
premium reddish brown Niger goat leather. Produced by Artek in 1960s. (A matching stool Model X602 is
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Birch

1954 Alvar Aalto stool model X602 in rich patinated birch and Niger leather
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in København K, 84
premium reddish brown Niger goat leather. Produced by Artek in 1960s. ( A matching stool Model X601 is
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Birch

Alvar Aalto, Solid Birch Bentwood Stackable E60 Pascoe Stool for Artek, 1960's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
This is a rare piece deigned by Alvar Aalto. Boasting elegant simplicity, this piece encapsulates the beauty of mid century Modernist design. About the designer: As one of the key...
Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Rare Alvar Aalto Stool 60 in Original Formica, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and rarely seen example of the iconic Aalto stools with the original formica seating
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Formica, Birch

Rare Alvar Aalto Stool 60 in Original Formica, 1950s
Rare Alvar Aalto Stool 60 in Original Formica, 1950s
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H 17.33 in Dm 13.78 in
Alvar Aalto Stool X602, 1950s Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto stool model X602, manufactured in Finland by Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab back
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Bentwood

Alvar Aalto Stool X602, 1950s Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Alvar Aalto Stool X602, 1950s Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
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H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.33 in
Ikea Alvar Aalto stools
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Montecchio Precalcino, VI
This Is a rare set of 5 Alvar Aalto stools made from Ikea in 1990. This stool was called "frosta
Category

1990s Italian Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Plywood

Ikea Alvar Aalto stools
Ikea Alvar Aalto stools
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
1950s Vintage Alvar Aalto Stool
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Lambertville, NJ
'Fan leg' stool, designed by Alvar Aalto. Manufactured by Artek, Finland, circa 1950. Reupholstered
Category

1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Wool, Beech

Vintage Bentwood Barstool in Manner of Alvar Aalto / Ikea, Set of 4
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, IKEA
Located in Untersiggenthal, AG
These stools are made out of bended beech wood and are characteristic of the style of Alvar Aalto
Category

1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Style Mid-Century Modern Wood Stool, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Alvar Aalto Style Mid-Century Modern wood stool. In original condition with minor wear
Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Wood

Alvar Aalto, Stool Model X602, O.Y. Huonekalu- Ja Rakennustyöt
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Gatos, CA
Aalto furniture (pre Artek) Leather and Birch.
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

1980s Modern Three Leg Low Stool Iconic Design Style of Alvar Aalto Denmark
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s low wood stool Design by Alvar Aalto for Artek Denmark Scandinavian Modern Classic Dark
Category

1980s Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Wood

Alvar Aalto Stool for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Belmont, MA
Alvar Aalto stool manufactured by Artek, originally designed in 1933. Crafted in Laminated Birch
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Stool for Artek
Alvar Aalto Stool for Artek
H 17 in Dm 14.5 in
Mid Century Alvar Aalto Tables / Stools by Artek, Model 60, Circa 1940s
By Artek
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful mid century Alvar Aalto tables / stools manufactured by Artek, Model 60, Circa 1940s
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Formica, Bentwood

Alvar Aalto for Artek Model Y61 Stool Chair Black Leather 1 of 2
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Munich, Bavaria
. Manufactured by Artek. The stools are comfortable and lightweighted. They are in best condtion. It wasn't
Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Leather, Wood, Birch, Lacquer

Alvar Aalto, A Pair of Vintage Stools in Birch, Model "60", Made at Artek, 1970s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Odense, DK
An amazing pair of stools in a lacquered birch. Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in Finland. Model
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Bench Model 153B, Artek 1970s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
into production at Artek. We have often noticed that these stools are mainly used in hallway`s
Category

1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Retro Artek Stool

Materials

Birch

Alvar Aalto Bench Model 153B, Artek 1970s
Alvar Aalto Bench Model 153B, Artek 1970s
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H 17.33 in W 28.35 in D 15.75 in
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Retro Artek Stool For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the retro artek stool you’re looking for. A retro artek stool — often made from wood, birch and animal skin — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer retro artek stool, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A retro artek stool made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Scandinavian Modern — is very popular.

How Much is a Retro Artek Stool?

Prices for a retro artek stool can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $452 and can go as high as $14,838, while the average can fetch as much as $1,513.

Alvar Aalto for sale on 1stDibs

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.

Finding the Right stools for You

Stools are versatile and a necessary addition to any living room, kitchen area or elsewhere in your home. A sofa or reliable lounge chair might nab all the credit, comfort-wise, but don’t discount the roles that good antique, new and vintage stools can play.

“Stools are jewels and statements in a space, and they can also be investment pieces,” says New York City designer Amy Lau, who adds that these seats provide an excellent choice for setting an interior’s general tone. 

Stools, which are among the oldest forms of wooden furnishings, may also serve as decorative pieces, even if we’re talking about a stool that is far less sculptural than the gracefully curving molded plywood shells that make up Sōri Yanagi’s provocative Butterfly stool

Fawn Galli, a New York interior designer, uses her stools in the same way you would use a throw pillow. “I normally buy several styles and move them around the home where needed,” she says.

Stools are smaller pieces of seating as compared to armchairs or dining chairs and can add depth as well as functionality to a space that you’ve set aside for entertaining. For a splash of color, consider the Stool 60, a pioneering work of bentwood by Finnish architect and furniture maker Alvar Aalto. It’s manufactured by Artek and comes in a variety of colored seats and finishes.

Barstools that date back to the 1970s are now more ubiquitous in kitchens. Vintage barstools have seen renewed interest, be they a meld of chrome and leather or transparent plastic, such as the Lucite and stainless-steel counter stool variety from Indiana-born furniture designer Charles Hollis Jones, who is renowned for his acrylic works. A cluster of barstools — perhaps a set of four brushed-aluminum counter stools by Emeco or Tubby Tube stools by Faye Toogood — can encourage merriment in the kitchen. If you’ve got the room for family and friends to congregate and enjoy cocktails where the cooking is done, consider matching your stools with a tall table.

Whether you need counter stools, drafting stools or another kind, explore an extensive range of antique, new and vintage stools on 1stDibs.