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Alvar Aalto Wall Lights and Sconces

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
Alvar Aalto A330s Polished Brass Wall Light for Artek
Alvar Aalto A330s Polished Brass Wall Light for Artek

Alvar Aalto A330s Polished Brass Wall Light for Artek

By Artek, Alvar Aalto

Located in Glendale, CA

Alvar aalto A330s polished brass wall light for Artek. Designed as a pendant in 1937, this iconic lamp has since remained in near constant production...

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21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Alvar Aalto Wall Lights and Sconces

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Metal, Brass

Alvar Aalto A330s White Metal and Brass Wall Light for Artek
Alvar Aalto A330s White Metal and Brass Wall Light for Artek

Alvar Aalto A330s White Metal and Brass Wall Light for Artek

By Artek, Alvar Aalto

Located in Glendale, CA

Alvar Aalto A330s white metal and brass wall light for Artek. Designed as a pendant in 1937, this iconic lamp has since remained in near constant production by its original manufacturer, Artek of Finland. This newly customized wall lamp...

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21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Alvar Aalto Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Alvar Aalto, Sconce or Flush Mount, Lacquered Metal, Idman, Finland, 1950s
Alvar Aalto, Sconce or Flush Mount, Lacquered Metal, Idman, Finland, 1950s

Alvar Aalto, Sconce or Flush Mount, Lacquered Metal, Idman, Finland, 1950s

By Idman, Alvar Aalto

Located in High Point, NC

A lacquered metal sconce / wall light or flush mount designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Idman, Finland, 1950s. Socket takes standard E-26 medium base bulb. There is no maximum...

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1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

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Alvar Aalto A330s Chrome Wall Light Light for Artek
Alvar Aalto A330s Chrome Wall Light Light for Artek

Alvar Aalto A330s Chrome Wall Light Light for Artek

By Artek, Alvar Aalto

Located in Glendale, CA

Alvar Aalto A330s chrome wall light light for Artek. Designed as a pendant in 1937, this iconic lamp has since remained in near constant production b...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Alvar Aalto Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Chrome, Metal

Pair of Alvar Aalto Commissioned Wall Lamps in White & Brass, Valaistustyö 1950s
Pair of Alvar Aalto Commissioned Wall Lamps in White & Brass, Valaistustyö 1950s

Pair of Alvar Aalto Commissioned Wall Lamps in White & Brass, Valaistustyö 1950s

By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö

Located in Helsinki, FI

This model wall lamp was originally modified from a similar looking ceiling lamp. It was mostly used in public buildings that Alvar Aalto designed. For example, these wall lamps can...

Category

1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Wall Lamps, Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland, 1950s
Pair of Wall Lamps, Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland, 1950s

Pair of Wall Lamps, Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland, 1950s

By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö

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 Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Steel

White Alvar Aalto Commissioned Ceiling Lamp for Enso-Gutzeit Oy, Idman 1960s
White Alvar Aalto Commissioned Ceiling Lamp for Enso-Gutzeit Oy, Idman 1960s

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 ...

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1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal, Brass

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Previously Available Items
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Wall Light A910 by Alvar Aalto for Artek

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H 8.25 in W 11 in D 7.5 in

Wall Light A910 by Alvar Aalto for Artek

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Located in Centreville, VA

This timeless and elegant design is popular in both public buildings and private homes. With structural echoes of Alvar Aalto’s other lighting designs, its shade consists of thin m...

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Very Rare Artek A808 Floor Lamp by Alvar Aalto, Made in Finland
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Very Rare Artek A808 Floor Lamp by Alvar Aalto, Made in Finland

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Alvar Aalto, Sconce or Flush Mount, Lacquered Metal, Idman, Finland, 1950s
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Alvar Aalto pair of wall lamps “A 190” manufactured by Artek, 1956

Alvar Aalto pair of wall lamps “A 190” manufactured by Artek, 1956

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Alvar Aalto wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs.

Alvar Aalto wall lights and sconces are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Alvar Aalto wall lights and sconces, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 6 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original wall lights and sconces by Alvar Aalto were created in the mid-century modern style in finland during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider wall lights and sconces by Stockmann-Orno , Itsu, and Mauri Almari. Prices for Alvar Aalto wall lights and sconces can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $800 and can go as high as $39,462, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,193.
Questions About Alvar Aalto Wall Lights and Sconces
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    Alvar 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 ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    The 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024
    The 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.