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.
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Creator: Alvar Aalto
Pair of Wall Lamps, Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of wall lamps, designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö,
Finland, 1950s
Brass and lacquered steel.
Very rare example.
Dimensions:
Total depth: 50 cm / 1' 6 1/2"
D: 30 cm / 9 ...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Vintage Pair Hallway 403 Chairs by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Pasadena, TX
Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto was born at Kuortane, Finland, February 3, 1898. He received his diploma in architecture from the Helsinki Institute of Technology in 1921. There were few com...
Category
1930s Finnish Art Deco Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Rare Sofa by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Milan, IT
Rare sofa by Alvar Aalto. Finland, 1956. Provenance: Kansanela¨kelaitos (The Social Insurance Institution of Finland). Example provided with original label....
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass
Alvar Aalto 31 Lounge Chair for the Paimio Sanitorium, Finland, 1931
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas
As an architect and designer, Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) should be celebrated for bringing Scandinavian modernism to global prominence. His sensitivity t...
Category
1930s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Pair of Model 401 Alvar Aalto Wing Chairs
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of laminated birch wood wingback armchairs designed by Alvar Aalto. Unmarked but presumed to be produced by Arte in the 1970s. Newly upholstered i...
Category
1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto Angel Wing Floor Lamp by Valaistustyö in Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and 1st production angel wing floor lamp model A805 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Valaistustyö in Finland.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass
Alvar Aalto L-Leg Bench/ Table Model 106
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Highland, IN
This exceptional example of Allto's slat bench/ table by Artek dates to circa 1948 and was sold at Chicago's landmark modern design store Baldwin Kingrey...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto Cantilever Chair, Model 31
By Alvar Aalto
Located in San Francisco, CA
Alvar Aalto cantilever chair, model 31.
A very rare 1st edition model 31 lounge chair by Alvar Aalto in birch plywood with a floating bac...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Floor Lamp “Angel Wing” Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Shade white painted steel. Base and shaft covered with black leather. Polished brass fittings.
Measurements:
H: 170,5 cm/ 5' 7 5/8''
W: 35 cm / 13 3/4''
D: 52 cm/ 20 1/2''
Alvar A...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Floor Lamp Model A809 Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland, 1959
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Floor lamp model A809 designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö,
Finland. 1959.
Lacquered steel, brass and leather.
Dimensions:
H: 170 cm/ 5' 7 1/4''
W: 60 cm/ 2'
D: 40 cm/ 15 3/4''...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Steel, Brass
Armchair by Alvar Aalto
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A laminated birch armchair with a black linen webbed seat and cane wrapped arms.
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Table Lamp Model A704 Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Lacquered metal and leather.
Measurements:
H: 38 cm/ 15"
D: 38 cm/ 15"
W: 36 cm/ 14 1/8"
Alvar Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer. His work includes architecture, furniture...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Metal
Floor Lamp A811 Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cast iron, brass, lacquered metal and leather.
Rare model.
Alvar Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer. His work includes architecture, furniture, lighting, and glassware,...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
1930s Finnish "World's Fair" Table by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare, museum quality, table with a solid teak top on laminated maple legs. Retaining a partial label from the 1939 World's Fair.
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Teak, Maple
Ceiling Light Model A 335 Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaisinpaja Oy, Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ceiling light model A 335 designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaisinpaja Oy,
Finland. 1952.
Brass and lacquered metal.
Measurements:
Height of the shade: 40 cm/ 15 3/4''
Total height: 65...
Category
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Rare Alvar Aalto Armchair No. 31, Early Example, circa 1934
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Alvar Aalto armchair No. 31. Produced by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy Turku, circa 1934-1935.
Bent laminated birch frame, seat in laminated birch root veneer.
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto Wingback Lounge Chair, circa 1950
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wingback lounge chair, model 36/401 designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933.
Produced by Artek (Finland) in, circa 1950.
Bent laminated birch base and armrests, deep foam rubber seat and bac...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Beech, Plywood
Vintage Pair of Hallway 403 Chairs by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Pasadena, TX
Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto was born at Kuortane, Finland, February 3, 1898. He received his diploma in architecture from the Helsinki Institute of Technology in 1921. There were few com...
Category
1930s Finnish Art Deco Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto, "Beehive" Ceiling Lamp, Aluminum, Brass, Finland, 1953
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in High Point, NC
A white-painted aluminum and brass "Beehive" ceiling lamp designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Valaistustyö Ky, Finland, 1953.
Interior rod impressed "VALAISTUSTYÖ A331".
Category
1950s Finnish Organic Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Alvar Aalto Early Floor Lamp Model A 808 by Valaistustyö in Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare and early floor lamp model A 808 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Valaistustyö in Finland. Designed for National Pensions Institute in Helsinki.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Early Alvar Aalto Savoy 9750 Vase
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Sharon, CT
A rare early green version of the Classic. Provenance: Estate of Mary Griggs Burke, Long Island. See "Long Island Modernism 1930-1980" by Caroline Rob Zaleski, W.W.Norton 2012.
Category
1940s Finnish International Style Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Glass
Alvar Aalto Angel Wing Floor Lamp Model A805 by Valaistustyö in Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and first production angel wing floor lamp model A805 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Valaistustyö in Finland.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Alvar Aalto Angel Wing Floor Lamp Model A805 by Valaistustyö in Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare and 1st production angel wing floor lamp model A805 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Valaistustyö in Finland.
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Leather, Lacquer
Alva Aalto Floor Lamp Model A808 for Valaitustyo Ky, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Madrid, ES
An Alvar Alto floor lamp edited by Valaitustyo Ky in the early 1950s. Brass shade, white metal; black leather-covered lamp stand. Early edition. Top impressed with "Valaitustyio A 808...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass
1940s Finnish Set of Four Upholstered Dining Chairs by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Set of four Alvar Aalto model No.62 laminated birch dining chairs produced by Artek in the late 1940s. The model of this listing, No.62, is slightly larger in scale than a very simil...
Category
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Plywood, Upholstery, Leather
Alvar Aalto Vase 3031, Iittala
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
Alvar Aalto Side Table Model A 86 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 Beehive Pendant Light in Black, model A332, for Valaistutstyo, 1950s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
One of Alvar Aalto's most iconic lighting designs, the Beehive pendant light was devised in 1953 for use in Finland's University of Jyväskylä.
...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Se of Three Model 112B Shelves, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Se of three model 112B shelves, design by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s. Birch. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age a...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto, Round Table A71, Artek, 1930s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This is a very versatile round table A71 designed by Alvar Aalto (Finland, 1898-1976) from the 1930s' for O.Y. Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas A.B.
The table is walnut stained birch...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Plywood
Alvar Aalto, Pair of A111 "Hand Grenade" Lamps, 1952, Valaistustyo, signed
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Alvar Aalto for Valiastustyo Ky, Helsinki, Finland circa 1952. A set of 2 "Hand Grenade" pendant lights, model No. A111, all are stamped by the maker showing these are first producti...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Alvar & Aino Aalto Birch “Hallway” Chair for Finsven, 1947
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Coronado, CA
Alvar and Aino Aalto's furniture reemerged from post war Europe on February 11, 1947 with the grand opening of Finsven, an importer with a small showroom at 925 Madison Ave, New York. This "Hallway Chair...
Category
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Beehive Pendent by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in San Francisco, CA
A classic beehive pendant model A331 by Alvar Aalto for Artek of white aluminum and chrome-plated steel rings that filter the light beautifully. ...
Category
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Alvar Aalto Mid-Century "34/402" Birch Cantilever Armchair
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto '34/402' armchair for O.Y. Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas A.B. Finland. Designed in 1933 and likely produced in the 1960's. Frame is made ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Stool by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 2007
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Brussels, BE
Stool by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 2007.
Category
Early 2000s Finnish Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto, Early Floor Lights A808
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Copenhagen, DK
ALVAR AALTO - SCANDINAVIAN MODERN.
A magnificent pair of Alvar Aalto standard lamps model A808, designed for the national pensions institute, Helsinki, 1952.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Brass
Alvar Aalto Model 69 Bentwood Side Chair for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful Alvar Aalto bent wood birch side chair for Artek.
Unlike Thonet, Alvar Aalto did not bend the wood with the use of steam, but he made use of the natural humidity of the Fin...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Furniture
Materials
Birch, Bentwood
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.