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 for Valaistustyö Ky ‘A704’ Table Lamp in Leather
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö Ky, desk lamp, model ‘A704’, enameled steel, enameled aluminum, leather-bound metal, Finland, 1954 This table lamp model ‘A704’ is designed by Finnish...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö Ky, Desk Lamp, model A704, original early example
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Alvar Aalto (Finnish 1898-1976) Leather Desk Lamp, model A704 made by Valaistustyö, Finland 1950s Designed in 1954, the A704 lamp has a black enamelled metal shade with double-laye...
Metal
Finnish Mid Century "A704" Desk Lamp in Metal & Leather by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare Finnish desk / table lamp model "A704" by Alvar Aalto produced and stamped by Valaistustyö, Finland 1950s. In good original condition. Dimensi...
Metal
Table Lamp Model A704 Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyö, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
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...
Metal
$2,354Sale Price|20% Off
Alvar Aalto A703 Table Lamp for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek's model A703 table lamp, designed by Alvar Aalto. In very good used condition.
Metal
Alvar Aalto Model “A704” Table Lamp for Valaistustyö Ky, Finland 1950s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Utrecht, NL
Finland and Helsinki were extremely important in the Mid-Century Modern design history, and one of its most famous designers was Alvar Aalto. In contrast with the functionalism of th...
Leather
Alvar Aalto A703 "Visor" Lamp for Valaistustyo, Stamped by Maker, 1957
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Alvar Aalto table / desk light designed 1957 for Valaistustyo, Finland. Enameled steel black base and shade with contrasting white visor. Goose neck arm for shade orientation. Sta...
Steel
Alvar Aalto A330s Polished Brass Wall Light for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Los Angeles, 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...
Metal, Brass
Pendant by Alvar Aalto for Valaistostyo
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pendant designed by Alvar Aalto to Valaistostyo Ky, Finland. Model A-203, Circa 1950th. Lacquered metal with brass elements. Stamped by manufacturer. Existing wires, rewiring avai...
Metal
Alvar Aalto "Turnip" Pendant Model A333 in Red, Valaistustyö 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Helsinki, FI
Was Alvar Aalto inspired by a turnip in designing this lamp or was it called turnip later on because of the resemblance? No matter the answer, the design of this lamp is inspiring an...
Metal, Brass
$52,268
H 61.03 in W 26.78 in D 11.42 in
Alvar Aalto 'Triplets' Pendant Model A 203 In Brass & Red, Valaistustyö 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Helsinki, FI
A stunning mid-century pendant by Alvar Aalto in red and brass and manufactured by Valaistustyö Finland, 1950s. This lamp is one of our favourite Alvar Aalto pendants and seems to be...
Metal, Brass
Alvar Aalto A335B Pendant Lamp, Mid-Century Modern, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Berlin, DE
Designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1950s, this pendant lamp is a classic example of Scandinavian design. The layered, dome-shaped shade creates soft, diffused light, making it perfect fo...
Metal
Twin Ceiling Lamp by Alvar Aalto, Made by Idman, Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Idman Oy
Located in London, GB
A simple architectural piece comprising twin ceiling lights on a single back plate, designed by Alvar Aalto and stamped by the Finnish manufacturer Idman. Overall the fixture is in fair vintage condition with lots of signs of wear from age and use - scratches, dents, dust and fading - all left as found. See images for examples of details and overview, or contact us if you would like more information. Wiring: The original wiring has been partially removed, and will need to be replaced prior to install. The original bulb-holders took E27 screw-fitting bulbs; as with all vintage pieces we recommend the use of low heat bulbs to protect the fixture for the future. There are two holes on the plate for installation (fixings not included). The diffusers simply rest in place, and can be removed for shipping. This design is believed to have been created for the Enso-Gutzeit headquarters in Helsinki, which was designed by Aalto and completed in 1962. Idman Oy were a manufacturer of high quality lighting by designers...
Metal
$11,207Sale Price|20% Off
H 65.36 in Dm 11.82 in
Alvar Aalto, 1950's floor lamp A808, Valaistustyö, Finland
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Introducing the Alvar Aalto circa 1950's floor lamp A808, a timeless piece of vintage design manufactured by Valaistustyö in Finland. The iconic finish design by Alvar Aalto is sure ...
Brass
$2,060
H 7.49 in Dm 6.5 in
Vintage Golden Bell Pendant Lamp by Alvar Aalto for Louis Poulsen, Denmark, 1950
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Golden Bell lamp made by Louis Poulsen in Denmark probably in the 1950s. The shade is made of solid bras and very heavy (the newer versions, even the ones from the 60s/70s are made o...
Metal, Brass
$4,238
H 7.88 in Dm 18.12 in
Alvar Aalto Slatted White Flush Mount Model. A 622 B Valaisinpaja Artek 1980s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaisinpaja Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
An iconic flush mount model A622B, designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1950s and manufactured by Valaisinpaja Oy in Finland during the 1980s. Originally created for the National Pensions ...
Metal
Pair of Lighting by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of rare, custom order flush mount lights designed by Alvar Aalto for Itsu, Model "AE-7055". Finland, circa 1950th. Lacquered metal. Stamped by manufacturer. Existing wires, re...
Sheet Metal
$13,184Sale Price|30% Off
H 66.93 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Alvar Aalto Floor Lamp A809 By Valaistustyö
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Espoo, FI
Early Artek A809 floor lamp, manufactured by Valaistustyö, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1959. The lamp has a brass base, black leather, and a white metal shade. The lamp is in good use...
Metal, Brass
$18,647
H 66.93 in W 13.78 in D 19.69 in
Alvar Aalto Angel Wing Floor Lamp in White & Leather A805, Valaistustyö 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Helsinki, FI
One of the most iconic lamps by Alvar Aalto, this impressive “Angel Wing” lamp was designed by Aalto in 1954 for the National Pensions Institute in Hel...
Metal, Brass
Alvar Aalto, rare 1950's A703 desk lamp, Valaistustyö Ky
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
This Alvar Aalto A703 desk lamp is a rare vintage piece from the 1950s, created by Finnish lighting manufacturer Valaistustyö Ky. Aalto's signature style is evident in the lamp's sle...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 19.69 in W 5.91 in D 15.75 in
Alvar Aalto A703 "Visor" Table Lamp, Early Version, Valaistustyö Ky Finland
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Turku, Finland
Designed by Alvar Aalto, the A703 table lamp consists of an elegant combination of white and brass. The table lamp is above all functional – the tiltable base makes it perfect for...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 25.99 in Dm 17.33 in
Table Lamp Model 2466 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brass and silk shade. Measures: H 66 cm/ 26" D 44 cm/ 17 1/2".
Brass
1970s Scandinavian Modern Desk Lamp by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A fully adjustable desk lamp in black and white lacquered metal with a folded metal base, flexible steel stem and an innovative pivoting reflector hood.
Metal, Steel