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Alvar Aalto

Finnish, 1898-1976

An architect and designer, Alvar Aalto deserves an immense share of the credit for bringing Scandinavian modernism to a prominent place in the global arena. In both his buildings and in his vintage furniture — which ranges from chairs, 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 in 1930 as part of his overall design of a Finnish tuberculosis sanatorium. Comfortable, yet light enough to be easily moved by patients, the 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 at the headrest and beneath the knees, creating a sort of pillow effect. Aalto’s use of plywood had 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 his wife, Aino Aalto, 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.

Iconic Designs from Alvar Aalto
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Alvar Aalto Paimio Armchair
Alvar Aalto Paimio Armchair
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase
Alvar Aalto Stool 60
Alvar Aalto Stool 60
Alvar Aalto Wall Shelf 112b
Alvar Aalto Wall Shelf 112b
Alvar Aalto Sculptural Door Handles, 1950s, Chrome Plated Brass
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Turku, FI
Sculptural Door Handles designed by Alvar Aalto in 1950s. Made in Finland. Materials: Chrome-plated Brass. Includes two handles and spacer. No screws. Rarely for sale. (Most...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto

Materials

Brass, Chrome

  • Alvar Aalto Sculptural Door Handles, 1950s, Chrome Plated Brass
  • Alvar Aalto Sculptural Door Handles, 1950s, Chrome Plated Brass
  • Alvar Aalto Sculptural Door Handles, 1950s, Chrome Plated Brass
  • Alvar Aalto Sculptural Door Handles, 1950s, Chrome Plated Brass
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H 1.78 in. W 5.12 in. D 6.3 in.
Rare High-Back Chair Model 402 Designed by Alvar Aalto for OY Huonekalu-Ja Raken
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare high-back chair model 402 designed by Alvar Aalto for OY Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas AB, Finland, 1930s. Bent plywood, beech, and textile ribbons. This is one of the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto

Materials

Textile, Beech, Plywood

Trolley Model 98 Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Trolley model 98 designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland. 1950s. Birch frame, black linoleum shelving, and white lacquered wooden wheels. Stamped. Measurements: H: 56 cm / 1' 1...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto

Materials

Wood, Birch

Artek Wall Shelf by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Turku, FI
Artek's wall shelf 112B is an elegant and practical shelf that can be used for books, decorative lamps or small items. Alvar Aalto designed the wall shelf 112 in 1936. This one wa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Alvar Aalto

Materials

Birch

  • Artek Wall Shelf by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
  • Artek Wall Shelf by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
  • Artek Wall Shelf by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
  • Artek Wall Shelf by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
H 9.85 in. W 35.44 in. D 10.63 in.
Alvar Aalto Mahogany Desk for Artek with Drawers and Pull Out Work Surfaces
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
The model #500 mahogany desk designed by Alvar Aalto, made in Sweden for Artek, Finland. Six drawers with two pull-out work surface boards. A nice example...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Aalto Table Round by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933 Date of Manufacture: Circa 1940 (during WWII) A very rare round table by Alvar Aalto. This particular piece has been made in Sweden when Artek ope...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto

Materials

Bentwood

Set of 4 Wooden Dining Chairs 66 Model by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 60s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Padova, IT
Set of 4 wooden dining chairs 66 model by Alvar Aalto for Artek 60s. The unmistakable chair 66 by Artek is a chair with a classic and versatile design, des...
Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto

Materials

Wood

Aalto Tea Trolley Model 901 for Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Aalto Tea Trolley Model 901 for Artek, circa 1950s. Model created in the 1930s. White linoleum top with birch frame and white lacquered wood wheels with rubber rings...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Alvar Aalto

Materials

Rubber, Birch

  • Aalto Tea Trolley Model 901 for Artek, 1950s
  • Aalto Tea Trolley Model 901 for Artek, 1950s
  • Aalto Tea Trolley Model 901 for Artek, 1950s
  • Aalto Tea Trolley Model 901 for Artek, 1950s
H 22.05 in. W 35.44 in. D 19.69 in.
Browse all Furniture from Alvar Aalto
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More Alvar Aalto Designs
Alvar Aalto Paimio Armchair
Alvar Aalto Paimio Armchair
Average Price
$13,756
Number Available
12
Alvar Aalto Paimio Armchair
By Alvar Aalto
Materials
Wood, Birch, Bentwood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Created in 1932, the Paimio armchair, or Armchair 41, was intended to help people breathe easier. Finnish architect and furniture maker Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) — in collaboration with his first wife, Aino — designed a tuberculosis sanatorium and all of the facility’s furnishings, including the armchair, in the Finnish city of Paimio, after winning the commission in an architecture competition. During the mid-to-late 1920s, Aalto was working with bentwood processes and producing resilient, eas...
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Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase
Average Price
$2,633
Number Available
11
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase
By Alvar Aalto
Materials
Glass
Styles
Mid Century Modern
When Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) designed the curvilinear Savoy vase in 1936 for the eponymous luxurious restaurant in Helsinki set to open the following year, he created one of the most well-known glass objects of the 20th century.  The Savoy vase — commonly referred to as the “Aalto vase” — won first prize at 1936’s Karhula-Iittala Glass Design Competition, held to determine which works would be included in the Finnish Pavilion at the 1937 Paris World Expo. This ...
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Alvar Aalto Stool 60
Alvar Aalto Stool 60
Average Price
$1,889
Number Available
10
Alvar Aalto Stool 60
By Alvar Aalto
Materials
Wood, Birch
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern
Although Finnish architect and furniture maker Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) was recognized early in his career for his decorative interiors and innovative building concepts, his functional wood furniture reflected a simplicity that extended even to his marketing copy. “One chair is enough” is one such slogan attributed to him today. While the renowned designs he produced with his first wife Aino for a tuberculosis sanatorium in Paimio included tubular steel, Aalto eventually distanced himself from...
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Alvar Aalto Wall Shelf 112b
Alvar Aalto Wall Shelf 112b
Average Price
$3,068
Number Available
9
Alvar Aalto Wall Shelf 112b
By Alvar Aalto
Materials
Wood, Birch
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
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Alvar Aalto furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Alvar Aalto furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Alvar Aalto furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 372 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 8 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Alvar Aalto were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, and Oy Stockmann AB. Prices for Alvar Aalto furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £92 and can go as high as £65,684, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £3,270.

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