Alvar Aalto Furniture
Finnish, 1898-1976
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.
to
1
102
102
62
40
102
3
96
3
3
7
24
40
25
2
1
82
75
25
18
16
102
101
102
102
102
155
102
82
77
52
Creator: Alvar Aalto
Dealer: Haddadin Design
Alvar Aalto Side / Newspaper Table Model A 86 in Birch for Artek, 1930s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
This small size side table can be used in any room, and for a variety of purposes. The shelf feature makes it perfect as an arm chair or reading space side table. The vintage honey l...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto Writing Table Model K81 in Birch & Red Linoleum, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare Mid-Century Modern writing desk in full birch and red linoleum model K81 manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas for Artek. The minimalist design of this table which w...
Category
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
An Alvar Aalto Triangular Umbrella Stand in Birch and Brass, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Umbrella stand designed by the one and only Alvar Aalto and manufactured in the late 60s by Artek. A very simple yet elegant design. The item is in good condition with an exeptionall...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Alvar Aalto Commissioned Armchairs, Enso Gutzeit, Zebra and Brass, 1962
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Helsinki, FI
An imposing and not to mention rare pair of Alvar Aalto chairs designed for the Enso-Gutzeit headquarters in Helsinki in the early 1960s. Th...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass
Alvar Aalto Tea Trolley Model 901 in White and Birch for Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto first introduced this model 901 cart in the 1930s. It is the simplest of his cart series. Inspirations of the British tee culture as well as Japanese wood works is eviden...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Laminate, Birch
Alvar Aalto / Otto Korhonen, Birch and Plywood Armchair Model 50101, 1929-30
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
This extremely rare solid birch and bent birch plywood armchair was designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto and Otto Korhonen, who was one of the best known Finnish cabinetmakers a...
Category
1920s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Plywood
Natural White Alvar Aalto Ceiling Lamp for Stora Enso Headquarters, Idman 1960s
By Idman Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This lamp is perfect for Kitchens, counter tops, window fronts, or as lighting for painting walls. It can even be used on the outside balcony for example...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Metal
Alvar Aalto Pair of Cantilever Armchairs M. 401 Green Buffalo Check, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful pair of mid-century Alvar Aalto cantilever 'spring' chairs model 401. This chair is similar to the iconic one known as Pikkupaimio (small paimio) but with a higher back a...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare Alvar Aalto Stool X600 for Artek in Original Blue Leather and Birch, 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Even though simple, this stool comes with great quality and attention to details. The less common X-leg with the leather padding brings plain beauty to any interior. The original blu...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Leather, Elm
Alvar Aalto 3 Legged Stool Model 60, Beige Linoleum and Black Legs, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, FI
An Artek stool in birch and beige linoleum, designed by Alvar Aalto and retailed by Artek in the 1950s. The model 60 stool is perhaps the most well known Aalto design and has always ...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Early Alvar Aalto Armchair Model 401 in White Sheepskin, Artek 1940s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and early version of the iconic Aalto arm chair model 401 that was first designed in 1933. The 401 chair was part of the iconic Paimio Sana...
Category
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Sheepskin
Alvar Aalto Stool X600 in Birch and Original Black Leather, Artek, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful model X600 stool designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1960s in Finland. Even though simple, this stool comes with great quality and attention to detail. The less comm...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Leather, Birch
Extremely Rare Hand Carved Wooden Mould for Alvar Aalto Vase Model 3032, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A collector's gem! Early Alvar Aalto hand carved wooden mould for the iconic vase no. 3032 which Aalto designed in the 1930s.
The mould is hand carved from an older tree stump and ...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Aino Aalto Child Measuring Table in Birch, Collector Item, Artek 1950's
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
This table/sidetable was first designed as a measuring table for babies in hospitals. It has a metric measuring unit attached to it, and a sliding wooden piece to adjust according to...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto Hat Rack / Coat Hanger in Birch, Model 109, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful functional coat hanger model 109 by Alvar Aalto for Artek. This versatile shelf is in full birch and features three metal hooks, a rod for hangers and a top rack for hats...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Metal
An Exceptionally Rare Alvar Aalto War-time Joints Small Side table, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful war-time side table by Alvar Aalto. The patina is in our opinion quite nice and as such deserves to be untouched really. It has some old repairs that tell of its long his...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Minimalist Alvar Aalto Stamped Large Mirror in Birch, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
An iconic mirror designed by Alvar Aalto and retailed by Artek in Finland. Very minimalist with straight lines and finger joints. The mirror has holes in the back in a way that enab...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Glass
Alvar Aalto Minimalistic Double Shelf Model 112-2 in Birch, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
This is an iconic minimalist shelf by Alvar Aalto in double deck. Due to the back rail, the shelf is easier to hang with four screws instead of eight.
The shelf unit is from the 1940...
Category
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Plywood
Iconic Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase Model. 3030 in Deep Green, Iittala 1950s
By Iittala, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto entered and won a competition held at the Karhula-Iittala glass factory that was organized for the 1937 Paris World Fair. The year was 1936 and Aalto´s entry was called `Eskimoerindens skinnbuxa` or `Eskimo Woman`s Leather Trousers` . The entry comprised of a number of different free-formed vases and bowls that came in different shapes and sizes.
The most famous of Aalto´s glass designs is exactly this so called `Savoy` vase, as it was part of the Savoy restaurant`s original interior design that was done by the Aalto couple.
Winning the competition marked the beginning of a succesful breakthrough for Alvar Aalto in addition to his other accomplishments as a world famous architect.
The early vases by Aalto are extremely sought after collectible´s gems that fetch incredible prices every now and then in auctions worldwide. We have seen them in a number of different colors, mainly clear glass, green, brown, and blue. This vase is fully signed Alvar Aalto and is in good condition.
This vase is signed Alvar Aalto 3030...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Minimalist Alvar Aalto Large Mirror in Light Birch, Artek 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
An iconic mirror designed by Alvar Aalto and retailed by Artek in Finland. Very minimalist with straight lines and finger joints. The mirror has holes in the back in a way that enab...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Glass, Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool X600 in Birch and Original Black Leather, Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful model X600 stool designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1960s in Finland. Even though simple, this stool comes with great quality and attention to detail. The less comm...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Leather, Birch
A Pair of Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Black Laminate, Artek 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
These two iconic Alvar Aalto stools from the 1930s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round sea...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto Nesting Table Set Model E88 in Birch and Oak, Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
The perfect practical side table for any scandinavian or modern interior, especially with challenging spaces as you can save space with the nesting tables. The measurments are 60x35...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Oak
Rare Alvar Aalto 3 Legged Stool 60 In Birch and Red, Artek, 1940s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
An iconic red model 60 stool in birch and beautiful patina. Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1940s, this design has definitely stood the test of time, as it is still in produ...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto 4 Legged Stools E60 Wartime Version in Red & Blue, Artek 1940s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto war-time stools are extremely sought after collectibles for the simple reason that not many of them are available any more. A war-time stoo...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Wood
Alvar Aalto Pair of Minimalistic Iconic Shelves Model 112-2 for Artek, 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A pair of shelves designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1930s. They are made from bent laminated birch, solid birch, and plywood birch. If you are l...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto Triangular Umbrella Stand in Birch and Brass, Artek 1970s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Umbrella stand designed by the one and only Alvar Aalto and manufactured in the late 70s by Artek. Alvar Aalto was known for being the driving force in Scandinavian modern design, wh...
Category
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of 6 Alvar Aalto 3 Legged Stackable Birch Stools Model. 60, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of the iconic model 60 stools designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek. Inspired by the clean lines and organic forms of nature, the Alvar Aalto Model 60 Stool is a timeless piece of ...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto 3 Legged Stool Model 60 In Birch & Beige Linoleum, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, FI
An Artek stool in birch and beige linoleum designed by Alvar Aalto and retailed by Artek in the 1950s. The model 60 stool is perhaps the most well known Aalto design and has always b...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Pair of Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Marimekko Unikko Textile, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
These two iconic Alvar Aalto stools from the 1930s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round sea...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool X601 in Black Leather and Birch, Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Stool model X601 was designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek originally in the 1950s.
This item has light birch legs and a black leather surface. Some signs of wear and use on the surface...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Leather, Birch
Alvar Aalto Table Lamp Model A704 in White and Black Leather, Valaistustyö 1950s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This table lamp model A704 was designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Valaistustyö in the 1950s. Viljo Hirvonen and Alvar Aalto started their work...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Metal
Alvar Aalto Minimalistic Double Shelf Model 112-2 in Birch, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
The iconic minimalist shelf by Alvar Aalto in double deck. Due to the back rail, the shelf is easier to hang with four screws instead of eight.
The shelf unit is pre mid 1950s and is...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Plywood
Rare Alvar Aalto Stool X602 with Fan Leg and Black Leather, Artek 1950s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto stool model X602, manufactured in Finland by Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab back in the 1950s. A rare model, the X-leg stool is one of the simplest yet most brillia...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Leather, Bentwood
Alvar Aalto Floor Lamp Model A809 in White and Black Leather, Valaistustyö 1960s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto floor lamp model A809 made by Valaistustyö in the 1960s. This lamp has three white metal cone shaped shades. The shades consist of concentric slats allowing light to go a...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Aino Aalto Table and 4 Aalto Stools in Marimekko Synthetic Fabric, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Aino Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Simple, elegant, minimalistic Scandinavian design at its best. The patina for this set is quite pleasing to the eye as well, honey like color. Add the Marimekko plastic laminated fabric and you have a new set or master pieces of design. This fabric is quite durable and will stand the test of time.
The legs for both the table and stools can be easily unscrewed, so the whole package will take much less space than otherwise required for shipping.
We would like to sell...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Plastic
Set of 3 Alvar Aalto Stackable Stools Model 60, Marimekko Fabric, Artek 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
These three Alvar Aalto iconic stools from 1930s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round seat ...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Fabric
Rare Alvar Aalto 'Chair of Our Times' 'Aikaamme Tuote' in Stained Birch, 1929
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This minimalist functionalist chair known as "The product of our time", is a rare gem and is the first chair born of the Alvar Aalto - Otto Korhone...
Category
1920s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Set of 4 Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Black Laminate, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of 4 Alvar Aalto model 60 stools in birch and black laminate, designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1930s, manufactured by Huonekalu- Ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy in Finland, and retailed ...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Laminate
Alvar Aalto Vase Model 9748, Iittala 1956, Clear Glass Blown into Wooden Mold
By Alvar Aalto, Iittala
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto entered and won a competition held at the Karhula-Iittala glass factory that was organized for the 1937 Paris World Fair. The year was 1936 and Aalto´s entry was called `...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
White Alvar Aalto Commissioned Ceiling Lamp for Enso-Gutzeit Oy, Idman 1960s
By Idman Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This commissioned ceiling lamp is designed by architect Alvar Aalto for the conference room of the Finnish forest industry company Enso-Gutzeit Oy in 1960s. It has a simple form yet ...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Alvar Aalto, Pair of X601 Stools with Fan Legs & Brown Leather, Artek 1960s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This stool was designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek originally in the 1950s. We have noticed throughout the years that this stool has been often used as a bed side table. It can also b...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Leather, Birch
A 'Pair' of Roughly Loved Alvar Aalto Stools Model 60 In Birch, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A pair of Artek stools in birch and multi layered colourful beautiful patina, designed by Alvar Aalto and retailed by Artek in the 1950s. The model 60 stool is perhaps the most well ...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto 3 Legged Stool Model 60 in Original Formica, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful and rarely seen example of the iconic Aalto stools with the original formica seating. These 3 legged stools have long been our customers favorites, especially in rare col...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Formica, Birch
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 448 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 Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Oy Stockmann AB, and Yrjö Kukkapuro. Prices for Alvar Aalto furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $113 and can go as high as $80,707, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,662.
Creators Similar to Alvar Aalto
Questions About Alvar Aalto Furniture
- What style did Alvar Aalto use?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024The style most commonly associated with Alvar Aalto is Scandinavian modern. As an architect and designer, 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, Aalto's sensitivity to the natural world and organic forms and materials tempered the hardness of rationalist design, as is indicative of Scandinavian modern pieces. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Alvar Aalto furniture.
- What is Alvar Aalto known for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024Alvar Aalto is known for bringing Scandinavian modernism and Nordic design to global prominence. In his designs for buildings and furniture, Aalto's sensitivity to the natural world and to organic forms and materials tempered the hardness of rationalist design. One of his most famous pieces is the Paimio armchair, which he designed in 1930 for a Finnish tuberculosis sanatorium. Comfortable yet light enough to be easily moved by patients, the Paimio chair's frame is made 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 pillow effect. Aalto's use of plywood had an enormous influence on Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Marcel Breuer and many others. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Alvar Aalto furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024The Paimio chair, designed by Alvar Aalto, is a type of armchair created in 1932. Also called the Armchair 41, it was intended to help people breathe easier and was designed for a tuberculosis sanatorium in the Finnish city of Paimio. For the chair's frame, Aalto and his wife, Aino, opted to use Finland's native birchwood, which is strong and inexpensive and felt warmer and more organic than the tubular steel found in similarly shaped pieces. Laminated wood loops form the arms, legs and a pair of flat skids, while its sculptural seat and back are built from a single piece of thin plywood. Shop a variety of Alvar Aalto Paimio chairs on 1stDibs.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Alvar Aalto Furniture
Alvar Aalto Stools
Alvar Aalto Armchairs
Alvar Aalto Lounge Chairs
Alvar Aalto Chairs
Alvar Aalto Chandeliers and Pendants
Alvar Aalto Side Tables
Alvar Aalto Floor Lamps
Alvar Aalto Dining Room Chairs
Alvar Aalto Vases and Vessels
Alvar Aalto Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Alvar Aalto Dining Room Tables
Alvar Aalto Tables