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.
Mid-Century Modern Slatted Birch Bench by Alvar Aalto for Artek C1970
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous slatted bench in hand selected birch designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear from age and use. Please see all pics and video as t...
Birch
Mid-Century Modern Birch Slatted Bench by Alvar Aalto for Artek C1970
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic simple and elegant design by Alvar Aalto for Artek. Choice bleached and varnished birch with bent legs and a slatted bench top. Great bench side table or a small cocktail t...
Birch
Alvar Aalto 'Ritiläpenkki' Birch Bench Model 153B, Artek 1970s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Iconic bench model 153 designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in the 1960s. The bench is in very good original condition. As with a lot of Alvar Aalto's works the beauty c...
Birch
Vintage bent birch bench by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Firenze, IT
Bench model 153A, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1945 and manufactured by Artek, made of bent birch and lacquered in white with characteristic 'L' legs. Produced in the 1960s, it is in g...
Birch
Checkerboard Bench 153A by Alvar Aalto for Artek/Supreme
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2017. Finland. Extremely rare collaboration between Supreme and Artek
Birch
Alvar Aalto Bench with War Time Legs by Artek in 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek bench with finger-jointed wartime legs. Designed by Alvar Aalto, and manufactured during war-time 1940s. The bench has a later upholstery with old fabric designed by Aino Aalto...
Birch, Fabric
Vintage Alvar Alto Low Bench 153A of Birch by Artek in Finland 1980s.
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Finish Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) vintage low bench. The bench is made of solid birch with lacquer in the 1980s. by Artek in Finland. Very nice vintage...
Birch
$1,632Sale Price|30% Off
Alvar Aalto Bench with Johanna Gullichsen Helios Fabrics
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek bench from circa 1960s, designed by Alvar Aalto. The bench has recently been reupholstered with Johanna Gullichsen's Helios Ochre fabric. The bench i...
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto Bench with War Time Legs by Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek lattice bench with finger-jointed wartime legs. Designed by Alvar Aalto, and manufactured during war-time 1940s. Very good condition and wonderful patina. This bench features ...
Birch
$3,544 / set
H 28.35 in W 16.93 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Alvar Aalto War Time Chairs With Finger Joints Model 69, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare pair of Alvar Aalto model 69 chairs, manufactured during the 2nd World War years in Finland in the 1940s. The iconic L-leg is different in these pieces compared to the normal....
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto Armchair 41 "Paimio" by Artek, 1970s
By Artek
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced late 1970s by Artek. Excellent condition, no signs of usage. Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1932, Armchair 41 was created for the interior of a tuberc...
Birch
$1,130
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
One Stool Model "X 601" by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Milan, IT
One stool model "X-Leg" "X 601" by Alvar Aalto for Artek. Birch frame with impressive legs connection to the top.
Birch
Alvar Aalto ‘Tank’ Armchair in Honey Sheepskin, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Prague, New Town
‘Tank’ armchair, model ’37/400′, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936. Manufactured by Artek in Finland, 1940s. Made from laminated steam-bent birch plywood, recently reupholstered in hon...
Sheepskin, Birch
$3,357
H 25.99 in W 13.78 in D 16.15 in
Set of 5 Alvar Aalto Model 65 Chairs In Birch & Blue Linoleum, Artek 1960s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful set of five Model 65 chairs, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustehdas Oy, and retailed by Artek in Finland. The chairs are in beautiful vinta...
Laminate, Birch
$3,077
H 17.72 in Dm 14.97 in
Alvar Aalto Stool X600 in Birch and Original Black Leather, Artek, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful model X600 stool designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1960s in Finland. Even though simple, this stool comes with great quality and attention to detail. The less comm...
Leather, Birch
$2,238Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.11 in W 15.75 in D 17.33 in
Pair of Rare E66 Chairs by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Karis, Nyland
A rare pair of Alvar Aalto model E66 chairs, designed in 1930s. Good vintage condition, patina consistent with age and use. The chairs are sold as a set. We can dismantle the chairs...
Birch, Bentwood
Alvar Aalto Writing Table Model K81 in Birch, Artek 1940s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare Mid-Century Modern writing desk in full birch model K81 manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas for Artek. The minimalist design of the table already designed in the 1...
Birch
$37,306
H 36.62 in W 29.93 in D 36.62 in
Alvar Aalto Highback Tank Arm Chair Model A 38 in Sheepskin, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful early version of the A38 “high back” Tank chair by Alvar Aalto. A substantial and commanding piece, this is among the rarer chair models in Aalto’s oeuvre and remains sel...
Sheepskin, Birch
Model 60 Stools, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950s/1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Three model 60 stools by Alvar Aalto for Artek from the 1950s/1960s. Birch and imitation leather. Good vintage condition, minor patina and wear consistent with age and use. Iconic Al...
Faux Leather, Birch
$4,196
H 17.33 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Rare Alvar Aalto original condition 1940's stool 60 with war legs, Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Very nice and rare Alvar Aalto Stool 60 with War Legs from the 1940s, Artek. The stool is in original condition including the screws There are some scratches on the seat. Very few o...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 by Artek in 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 60 stool, birch with red linoleum. The stool is from the 1950s. Designer Alvar Aalto. Good used condition. The Artek Stool 60, designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933, is one of the m...
Birch
Sold
H 17.13 in W 44.1 in D 18.51 in
Alvar Aalto Birch Bench, Artek, Finland, 1950s, Scandinavian Modern
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Artek
Located in Turku, Finland
Birch bench designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek Finland in the 1950s. This piece represents an earlier production model, featuring a structural variation with outward-positioned legs c...
Birch
Sold
H 17.25 in W 44.25 in D 15.75 in
Vintage Alvar Aalto 153A Bench, Bentwood, Mid-Century Modern, 1970
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
Bench 153 is lightweight, versatile, and equally at home in the public and private spheres. The seat is composed of solid birch wood and features vertical recesses that make the benc...
Bentwood
Alvar Aalto Bench
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek bench, birch with original light beige faux leather upholstery. Designed by Alvar Aalto. Good used condition. The bench is from 1960s.
Fabric, Birch
Aalto Bench / TV stand by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
Aalto Bench is lightweight, versatile, and equally at home in the public and private spheres. The seat is composed of solid birch wood and features vertical recesses that make the be...
Bentwood
Vintage Bench 153A by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
Bench 153 is lightweight, versatile, and equally at home in the public and private spheres. The seat is composed of solid birch wood and features vertical recesses that make the benc...
Bentwood
50's bench 153A natural
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
alvar aalto design 153A bench. This condition is very nice patine and original finish.
Birch
Bench 153A by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
Bench 153 is lightweight, versatile, and equally at home in the public and private spheres. The seat is composed of solid birch wood and features vertical recesses that make the benc...
Bentwood
Alvar Aalto Bench Blue Linoluem Top
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
1960's alvar aalto design bench It is blue linoleum top.
Birch
Sold
H 17.33 in W 44.3 in D 17.52 in
Early and Rare Version of Artek Bench "153b" by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Turku, Finland
Aalto bench is a design classic by Alvar Aalto from 1945. Even though it dates back to decades ago, Bench 153B still continues to charm with its simple and streamlined elegance. The airy seat of the bench is made of solid birch and it rests on Aalto’s signature design, the L-legs. Also perfect as a side table. This is the first and earliest version of Original Artek Bench...
Birch
Vintage White Bench by Designer Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Brescia, IT
Artek's 153A bench was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1945 and is still a modern and elegant design piece today. The seat is made of solid birch and rests on ...
Wood
Sold
H 17.52 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Custom List for Sandra, three Alvar Aalto Y61 Stools in Birch and Leather Seat
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Finnish icons! A pair of Scandinavian Modern Alvar Aalto stool Y61 in birch with original leather seat. Designed in 1947, Alvar Aalto's Y61 stool required a special technique to create the unique birch Y-legs. Original leather seats in great condition. Manufactured by Artek. Beautiful work by well known Finnish designer Alvar Aalto - Model Y61 with cognac brown leatherseat and showcases the wonderful X-Leg or Fan leg innovation. Really nice as a group or as a single stool. The Y61 stools were designed in 1946 at Artek Oy, Finland. Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) is one of the greatest names in modern architecture and design. He was born in Kuortane, Finland and noted for his humanistic approach to modernism. He studied architecture at the Helsinki University of Technology from 1916-1921, and returned to Jyväskylä, where he opened his first architectural office in 1923. Aalto's furniture design is easily recognized by the unique method of bending wood he patented; most famously, the stackable Stool 60 from Artek. Often called the "L-leg" as an ode to its distinctive shape, it can be found on most of his furniture forms. Wear consistent with age and use. Looks great with Titti Fabianis...
Leather, Birch
Iconic Aalto Table Bench Model 106
By Alvar Aalto
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Aalto design end, side table, bench in solid wood, with slatted top. This example is vintage 1970/1980's. It is in very good, original, clean and ready use use condition showi...
Birch