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.
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...
Glass, Birch
Minimalist Alvar Aalto Large Mirror in Light 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...
Glass, Birch
Birch & Brass Table Mirror, Sweden 1940s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This elegant Swedish modern table mirror was designed and manufactured in the 1940s. The frame is made from birch (mahogany) stained wood, showcasing its natural grain and warm tone...
Brass
$1,371
H 11.82 in W 8.27 in D 2.76 in
Modernist Leather Table Mirror Vereinigte Werkstätten Attrib., Germany, 1960s
By Vereinigte Werkstätten Für Kunst Im Handwerk
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Table mirror Producer: Vereinigte Werkstätten München attrib. Origin: Germany Material: Wood, glass, leather Decade: 1960s Descriptio...
Glass, Wood, Leather
Alvar Aalto Mirror Artek 192B
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek mirror model 192B, designed by Alvar Aalto. The mirror has dark brown wooden frame. In very good used condition. The mirror is from around 1950s.
Wood
$384Sale Price|77% Off
H 21.26 in Dm 18.51 in
Swivel Mirror Brushed Metal Artemide Sergio Mazza, 1960s
By Sergio Mazza
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Swivel mirror brushed metal Artemide Sergio Mazza, 1960s.
Metal
Vintage Italian Decorated Brass Table Mirror, 1960s
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Tabletop mirror with a gilded and decorated brass frame, Italian design, 1960s. CONDITION: In good condition; may show signs of wear due to age. DIMENSIONS: Height 50 cm; Width 41 ...
Brass
Mid-Century Murano Glass Table Mirror, 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century Murano glass table mirror, 1960s Intact and in good condition, you can also hang it on the wall.
Murano Glass
Swedish Designer, Table Mirror, Birch, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch table mirror designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.25"H x 9.0"W x 5.25"D All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Birch
Midcentury Table Adjustable Mirror, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of Brass, Metal, Mirror,Wood With Aged Patina Re-polished Fully Functional Good Original condition.
Metal, Brass
Mid-century brass table mirror / vanity, Italy 1960s
Located in Firenze, IT
Mid-century brass table mirror / vanity Italy 1960s brass, mirror H 47 cm x 47 × 27 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.
Brass
$1,480
H 26.38 in W 17.13 in D 8.08 in
Mid-20th Century, Scandinavian Standing Table Mirror in Wood, 1950s–1960s
By Peder Moos
Located in Odense, DK
This elegant mirror is a fine example of Danish Mid-Century Modern design, dating from the 1950s–1960s. With its clean lines, warm wood tones, and understated functionality, the mirr...
Glass, Mirror, Beech
Italian Brass and Metal Table Mirror, 1960s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
An illuminated Italian table mirror with brass legs. Beautiful with its amazing design.
Brass, Metal
Teak Folding Mirror from Denmark, 1960s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An impeccably crafted Scandinavian Modern vanity mirror in a rich teak wood frame. The piece is a folding tabletop vanity but can also be wall-mou...
Teak, Mirror
Minimalist Alvar Aalto 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...
Glass, Birch
Sold
H 47.25 in W 19.69 in D 1.58 in
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. We have seen this type mirror in schools, public buildings, kintergardens, restaurants, and you name it, a...
Glass, Birch
Alvar Aalto Mirror, 1960s Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Iconic mirror designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in Finland. This mirror makes a great addition to any space, be it a bedroom, office table, or an entrance. So simp...
Glass, Birch
Alvar Aalto Table / Wall Mirror with Brass Stand, 1960s Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This mirror makes a great addition to any space, be it a bedroom, office table, or an entrance. So simple yet so practical due to its ability to hang on a wall or be set on a table ...
Brass