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.
Alvar Aalto serving platter, oak Serving tray by Alvar Aalto Collection Iittala
By Alvar Aalto, Iittala
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A finely crafted oak serving platter featuring the iconic “Savoy” silhouette from a limited Alvar Aalto collection by Iittala, Finland. This piece showcases the essence of Finnish de...
Oak
Finnish modern glass bowl centrepiece by Alvar Aalto for IIttala, 1990s
By Iittala, Alvar Aalto
Located in MIlano, IT
Finnish modern glass bowl centrepiece by Alvar Aalto for IIttala, 1990s. Centerpiece bowl or low vase of Finnish origin, entirely made of glass and with an irregular and wavy shape. ...
Glass
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase 3030 by Iittala Signed
By Alvar Aalto, Iittala
Located in Espoo, FI
Aalto savoy vase, white. "Alvar Aalto - 3030" signature on the bottom. In very good condition. The height of the vase is approx. 160mm. The Aalto Sav...
Glass
Alvar Aalto Cocktail Tray by Sanka
By Alvar Aalto, Sanka Finland
Located in Espoo, FI
Cocktail tray, design Alvar Aalto, manufacturer Sanka. In excellent condition. Sanka sticker on the bottom. Dimensions approx. 38cm x 38cm. The material is acrylic. The Alvar Aalto ...
Acrylic
$560
H 0.5 in W 8 in D 10.38 in
Small Cocktail Tray by Christofle, French Art Deco Silver Plated Serving Tray
By Christofle
Located in Miami, FL
French Art Deco style silver-plated serving tray from Christofle. This small cocktail tray is hallmarked on the reverse. In very good condition, wear consistent with age, materials...
Silver Plate
Midcentury Teak Serving Tray or Platter
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury teak serving tray or platter from Denmark, circa 1960s. The platter is 12" in diameter and .5" high. The piece is in very good...
Teak
$747Sale Price|34% Off
H 4.73 in W 2.56 in D 4.53 in
Oiva Toikka, Sieppo, Bird, Nuutajarvi / Iittala, 1990s
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Oiva Toikka, Iittala
Located in MAASTRICHT, LI
Product Description: On offer here is a reprinted version of Sieppo with legs, manufactured in 1995 by Oiva Toikka. The early footed Sieppo was created in many color variations, bu...
Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Vintage Sheffield Victorian Ornate Silver Plated Serving Platter Tray
By Sheffield
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sheffield Victorian Ornate Silver Plated Serving Platter Tray. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 3" H x 28.5" W x 17.5" D.
Silver Plate
$8,790 / item
H 6.7 in Dm 11.42 in
Aldebaran Glass Fruit Bowl, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Aldebaran Glass Fruit Bowl was designed for Memphis in 1983 by Ettore Sottsass. This bowl features a tapering cylindrical shape with three green handles, with the side decorated ...
Glass
Jens Quistgaard Tray Produced by Dansk in Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare tray designed by Jens Quistgaard. Produced by Dansk in Denmark.
Teak, Wenge
Kantarelli Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1951
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Kantarelli Art glass vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1951 A large vintage 'Kantarelli' (chantertelle) vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in 1951. Mold blown ...
Art Glass
American Modern Oval Bowl by Russell Wright for Steubenville Pottery
By Steubenville, Russel Wright
Located in Philadelphia, PA
American Modern Oval Bowl by Russell Wright for Steubenville Pottery Company. Marked on underside.
Ceramic
$250 / set
H 4.5 in Dm 9.25 in
Iittala Ultima Thule Style Wirkkala Clear Ice Glass Set of Nine Serving Bowls
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beautiful mid century modern set of clear glass serving bowls in an ice pattern similar to Iittala Thule style glassware designed by Tapio Wirkkala. This set consists of a large bowl...
Glass
$955
H 3.94 in Dm 5.91 in
Tapio Wirkkala Velvet Art Glass Vase "Jäkälä" model 3516, Iittala 1950s Finland
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful art glass vase model 3516, designed by Tapio Wirkkala and manufactured by Iittala in Finland in the 1950s. In the manufacturing process the glass is blown in to a special...
Art Glass
$75
H 3.25 in W 2 in D 2.25 in
Iittala Glassware creamer Ultima Thule by Tapio Wirkkala Scandinavian Modern
By Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a creamer from the Ultima Thule glassware collection designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala. Made in Finland. Scandinavian modern, mid-century modern design....
Art Glass
Vintage Art Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1967
By Tapio Wirkkala, Iittala
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Art glass vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala 1967 A large vintage art glass vase designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala Glassworks in ...
Art Glass
Early Alvar Aalto Large size Savoy Vase Finland 1950s
By Iittala, Alvar Aalto
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Early Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase. Large free flowing form. This example is early with the Alvar Aalto etched named. this example with several bubbles left in the glass during formation. ...
Glass
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vintage Hand Signed Clear Glass Vase 3030
By Alvar Aalto
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A beautiful Alvar Aalto Savoy vase for Iittala, #3030. Clear glass with hand etched signature. Biomorphic design that is timeless.
Art Glass
Sold
H 1.97 in W 18.9 in D 11.82 in
Serving Set of Tray Ice Bucket and Glasses by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Italy 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Rome, IT
Tray set composed of a tray, four glasses, of which one slightly smaller than the other three, and an ice bucket in wood and glass by Alvar Aalto for Artek. Made in Italy in the 1960...
Glass, Wood
Alvar Aalto "Savoy" Vase in Caramel-Tinted Glass, Iittala, Finland
By Iittala, Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
A "Savoy" glass vase signed Alvar Aalto, Iittala 1936-1996. 60 years anniversary edition. Blown in wooden mold. Caramel / light pink -tinted glass. Great vintage condition.
Art Glass
Sold
H 1.5 in W 4.75 in D 5.38 in
Alvar Aalto for Iittala Savoy Finnish Modernist Glass Bowl Dish Vase
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Finnish modernist Savoy vase, dish or bowl designed by Alvar Aalto for Iittala. Bowl was originally designed in 1936, this is a later version a...
Glass
Vintage Crystal Ashtray, Alvar Aalto, 1980s
By Orrefors, Alvar Aalto
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage crystal ashtray is a decorative crystal object designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by the Swedish Companies Orrefors and Ittala in...
Glass
Huge Vase Signed Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Extraordinary glass vase designed by Alvar Aalto.
Glass
Vase, “model 3031” Designed by Alvar Aalto,
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Finland, 1968. Opal glass that was blown into a wooden mould. Signed "Alvar Aalto 3031" Measures: H 20.5 cm/ 8" W 21 cm/ 8 1/4" D 20 cm/ 8".
Opal
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase Pair, circa 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Ferndale, MI
The Savoy vase was originally created in the 1930s by Alvar Aalto and his first wife Aino Aalto in Finland for an art glass competition. This blown glass pa...
Blown Glass
Modern Aalto Vase
By Iittala, Alvar Aalto
Located in New York, NY
The beautiful modern Aalto vase, aka as the Savoy vase, created by designer Alvar Aalto, 1937, Finland. This is the contemporary version, in excellent condition. Marked on bottom as ...
Glass
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase for Iittala Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Iittala
Located in Topeka, KS
Iconic Savoy vase by Alvar Aalto for Iittala. Made in Finland, circa late 20th century but originally designed in 1936. This vase is in wonderful condition ...
Art Glass
Alvar Aalto Signed Savoy Vase for Ittala
By Ittala, Alvar Aalto
Located in Rochester, NY
Alvar Aalto iconic Savoy smoked glass vase for Ittala with acid etched Alvar Aalto signature on underside, circa 1970.