Alvar Aalto Chairs
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 stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather red 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1950's.
The seat is covered with vinyl leather.
The condition of the vinyl leather is not torn, but there are some stai...
Category
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Early Alvar Aalto Hallway Armchair in Red Lacquer Finish
By Finmar, Alvar Aalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A striking Model 403 Hallway Chair in red lacquer finish, designed by Alvar Aalto for the Paimio Sanitorium, later issued by Finmar. The armchair showcases a fluid design, with a gra...
Category
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Early Model 611 Chair, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Early Model 611 chair, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s. Patinated birch. Natural surface. Good vintage ...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Pair of Alvar Aalto for Artek N65 Bentwood Children's Chairs
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Round Rock, TX
Offered is a set of newer production N65 children's chairs designed by famed architect and designer Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek.
Easily one of Aalto's most recognized and c...
Category
Early 2000s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Model 66 Chair by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Montréal, QC
Model 66 Chair by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1960s. Birchwood frame with fuchsia upholstered seat.
In good vintage condition, small tear in seat and wear to wood back.
Dimensions: 30"H...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
alvar aalto stoolE60 kids size painted green 1960's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1950s.
There is evidence of overpainting
There is some damage to the leg of the chair, but there is no problem in using...
Category
1960s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Chair 65 by Alvar Aalto for Artek (White laminate)
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
Clean lines and a simple structure define the design of Chair 65.
A low, rectangular backrest is formed from a single piece of birch plywood and has a slight curve that forms natur...
Category
1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Chair 611 by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Princeton Junction, NJ
Chair 611 by Alvar Aalto for Artek,
webbing has been newly done.
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Wood
alvar aalto stool60 painted red 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1930's.
This stool is painted red and white.
There is some peeling and damage in the paint here and there, but it is a ...
Category
1930s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Early Alvar Aalto 'Hallway' Chair 'Model 403' for Finmar
By Finmar, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finmar Model 403 'Hallway' chairs designed by Alvar Aalto and produced from 1930 through 1950 in Finland. The chair features a honey toned birch wood with bent plywood seat and backr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch, Plywood
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 natural 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1950s.
There is some damage to the seat.
Category
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair69 natural 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1930s.
It has a structure that seems to be an early product that is not found in current products.
The paint film from ...
Category
1930s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool60 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
Category
1940s Swedish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair69 Painted Deep blue 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This is chair 69 .
Deep blue paint is applied all over.
This chair was manufactured in the 1930s.
Category
1930s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category
1940s Swedish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category
1940s Swedish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather black 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1950's.
The seat is covered with vinyl leather.
The condition of the vinyl leather is not torn, but there are some stai...
Category
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair65 black linoleum top
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This is chair 65 black linoleum top.
Category
1960s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto stool60 vinyl leather red 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This stool 60 was manufactured in the 1950's.
The seat is covered with vinyl leather.
The condition of the vinyl leather is not torn, but there are some stai...
Category
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair69 natural hedemora 1940's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This chair 69 was manufactured in the 1940s.
It is from the era when it was manufactured in Hedemora, Sweden.
It has a structure manufactured with hedemora f...
Category
1940s Swedish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
alvar aalto chair68 Painted White 1950's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in 東御市, JP
Designed by Alvar Aalto.
This is chair 68 .
White paint is applied all over.
This chair was manufactured in the 1950s.
Category
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto, Pair of Armchairs Model 402 for Finmar, 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
With bent beechwood sculptural frame and cantilevered wooden design, these chairs are a classic Aalto, encapsulating the beauty of mid-Century modernism.
They armchairs have been n...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Art Deco Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Beech
Alvar Aalto Hallway Chair, Model No.403, Finmar 1930's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
An early and exceptionally rare Alvar Aalto Hallway chair, which was originally designed for the Paimio Sanitorium.
Bent ply seating rests on...
Category
1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Alvar Aalto War Time Chairs Model 69, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, FI
A very rare Alvar Aalto chair model 69, manufactured during the 2nd World war years in the 1940s. The iconic L-leg is different in these pieces compared to the normal. As a result of the war, Finland had a shortage of resources including glue, which was normally used in these chairs, so Aalto came up with a new design called the finger joint, to save recources during difficult times.
Although can be used as a nornmal chair, this is also a very nice collectors item. We have 2 chairs, and both are stamped "Artek Aalto design" .
Can be sold individually or as a pair. Reupholstered in Artek Fabric...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto / Otto Korhonen, Birch and Plywood Armchair Model 50101, 1929-30
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This extremely rare solid birch and bent birch plywood armchair was designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto and Otto Korhonen, who was one of the best known Finnish cabinetmakers a...
Category
1920s Finnish Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch, Plywood
Alvar Aalto "Chair of Our Times", a Collector's Gem
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This minimalist functionalist chair known as "The product of our time", is a rare gem and is the first chair born of the Alvar Aalto - Otto Korhone...
Category
1920s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch, Lacquer
Early Model 65 Chair by Alvar Aalto, ,
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Buffalo, NY
Model 65 encapsulates designer Alvar Aalto’s approach to systematic, rational design within the context of Finnish minimalism; showcasing clean lines and his favoured use of birchwood.The bolts, showcased along the back legs, imbued the chair with Aalto’s signature industrial design sensibility.This is a wonderful early example,, The color ,,finish and patina is outstanding.. Chair seat has been reupholstered in a classic Marimekko fabric
Category
1930s Finnish Bauhaus Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Pair of Alvar Aalto for Artek N65 Bentwood Children's Chairs
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Round Rock, TX
Offered is a set of newer production N65 children's chairs designed by famed architect and designer Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek.
Easily one of Aalto's most recognized and cel...
Category
Early 2000s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Set of Four Birch Dining Chairs Model 66 by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1980s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Praha 2, Hlavní město Praha
Dining set of four chairs in birch, model 66, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in Finland, 1980s.
These chairs are part of the iconic 66 Chair series designed by t...
Category
1980s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Set of 3 Alvar Alto Stool 60 by Artek, Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in New York, NY
Set of 3 vintage original vintage Alvar Alto 60 stools from early 1960s. From a private home with one owner who purchased them in the late 1950s. Two wit...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Birch
Rare High-Back Chair Model 402 Designed by Alvar Aalto for OY Huonekalu-Ja Raken
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare high-back chair model 402 designed by Alvar Aalto for OY Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas AB,
Finland, 1930s.
Bent plywood, beech, and textile ribbons.
This is one of the...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Textile, Beech, Plywood
Alvar Aalto Rare Set of Early Armchairs, 1939
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Exceptionally rare set of early Alvar Aalto armchairs for O.Y Wilhelm Schauman A.B Jyväskylä, Finland, 1939. Custom ordered for NY World's Fair Restau...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch, Plywood
Pair of Vintage Model 65 Chairs by Alvar Aalto
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Cape Town, WC
Model 65 encapsulates designer Alvar Aalto’s approach to systematic, rational design within the context of Finnish minimalism; showcasing clean lines and his favoured use of birchwoo...
Category
1940s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Paimio Chair by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Long Island City, NY
Paimio Chair by Alvar Aalto, an authentic edition, chair #41, designed in 1941 by Alvar Aalto for Artek of Finland. A tour de force in bent...
Category
20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Bentwood, Plywood
Pair of Vintage Upholstered Hallway Chairs 54/404 by Alvar Aalto, Circa 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Surrey, GB
A stunning pair of stackable Alvar Aalto chair 54/404, a padded variant of hallway chair 403 designed in 1932. Very good vintage condition.
Dimen...
Category
20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
Alvar Aalto Armchairs with Black Straps, Finland, 1960's
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Austin, TX
Model 45 armchairs, designed in 1947 by Alvar Aalto and manufactured later by Artek. Beech frames and woven black nylon seat and back make a comfortable and sought after combination ...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Nylon, Beech
Set of 2 First Edition Alvar Aalto 402 Chairs for Finmar, 1930s
By Finmar, Alvar Aalto
Located in amstelveen, NL
402 Chair, Alvar Aalto, Finmar, 1933
The 402 armchair was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933. Aalto was a famous architect and one of the most influential...
Category
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Pair of Chairs Model 69 by Alvar Aalto
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian pair of chairs model 69 by Alvar Aalto. Chair 69 is one of Artek’s most popular chairs, a universal wooden chair in the tradit...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Beech
Rare, Early Alvar Aalto Model 31/42 Cantilevered Armchairs, Finland, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
Rare, early Alvar Aalto model 31/42 cantilevered armchairs, Finland, 1930s, designed and produced in the 1930s. Painted birch-veneered bent plywoo...
Category
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Birch, Plywood
1940s Finnish Dining Chair by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A dining chair in laminated birch with newly upholstered black leather seat and back.
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Leather, Birch
Chair 65 by Alvar Aalto for Artek (Blue Linoleum)
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
Clean lines and a simple structure define the design of Chair 65.
A low, rectangular backrest is formed from a single piece of birch plywood and has a slight curve that forms natur...
Category
1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Alvar Aalto chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Alvar Aalto chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Alvar Aalto chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Alvar Aalto were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Eero Aarnio, and Yrjö Kukkapuro. Prices for Alvar Aalto chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $480 and can go as high as $71,172, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,421.
Creators Similar to Alvar Aalto
Questions About Alvar Aalto Chairs
- What is Alvar Aalto known for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024Alvar 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.
- What style did Alvar Aalto use?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024The 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, 2024The 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.
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