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, Chaise Longue, Birch, Fabric, Finland, 1947
By Alvar Aalto
Located in High Point, NC
A birch bentwood and beige fabric webbing chaise longue designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by O.Y. Huonekalu-ja Rakennusyötehdas, A.B., Turku, Finland, c. 1947. Provenance: Philli...
Fabric, Birch
"39" Chaise Longue by Finnish designer Alvar Aalto designed in 1936-1937, Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in New York, NY
The "39" Chaise Longue was designed by the notorious Finnish designer Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) in 1936–37 and manufactured by Artek Oy. This design is present in The Met Museus collec...
Leather, Wood
$11,183
H 25.6 in W 76.78 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Beige Fabric, Handmade by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Twins chaise longue and its matching...
Cotton, Wood, Bouclé, Velvet, Leather, Fabric, Mohair, Linen, Oak, Walnut
Modern Beige Textured Fabric Upholstered Chaise Longue
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern Beige Textured Fabric Upholstered Chaise Longue, together with two matching pillows. 28" H x 77" W x 39" D; seat: 21" H. Prov...
Upholstery
$1,133
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
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
Leather BoConcept Chaise Longue
By BoConcept
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage BoConcept chaise lounge with relax function. In natural black leather, chrome steel base/legs. Label: BoConcept. Very good vintage condition.
Metal, Chrome
$12,390 / item
H 25.6 in W 76.78 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, DEDAR Bouclé, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Twins chaise longue and its matching...
Leather, Bouclé, Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Mohair, Linen, Oak, Walnut
Forged Steel Chaise Longue
Located in Chireno, TX
Forged steel chaise longue, adorned in brass detail. Sold with newly-made tie-on upholstered cushion in antique hand-loomed French thistle and natural canvas. All...
Brass, Steel
Penelope Green Chaise Longue
By Pier Luigi Frighetto by Black Tie
Located in Milan, IT
The curved Silhouette of this superbly elegant chaise longue provides a chic and comfortable seat that will highlight the decor of any bedroom or...
Metal, Other
Elegance Chaise Longue, Cleopatra Daybed
Located in Delft, NL
An elegance chaise longue, Cleopatra daybed A daybed in curved shape with soft purple velours buttoned upholstered fabric The measurement is 190 cm l...
Fabric, Wood
$1,005 / set
H 29.14 in W 16.93 in D 18.12 in
Alvar Aalto Artek Chair 69 Pair Finland 1950s Vintage Original
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 69 chairs 2 pcs, birch. The chairs are from around the 1950s. Wear consistent with age. Designer Alvar Aalto. The chairs are sold as a pair, the price includes two chairs.
Birch
Antique French Gothic Oak Chaise Longue, Circa 1870
Located in Dallas, TX
In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was not uncommon for skilled craftsmen to repurpose older wood carvings into their own furniture creations. A French menuisier utilized this technique (circa 1870), incorporating a previously carved chair back and arms into the construction of this Gothic style chaise lounge. Based on the faded Gothic motifs and age separations, the repurposed pieces were most likely carved in the 16th century. The Gothic period carvings seen on the top rail include a series of foliate groupings flanked by bulbous finials. Although the carvings have faded over the course of centuries, the finials might have been leaf cups, which were often seen during the Gothic period. The back rest has been adorned with arcading beneath an infilled niche that is flanked by a pair of linenfold carvings. A cream colored cushion has been affixed by small nails above an apron embellished with barb tracery and ogee brackets. The entire lounge is supported by six block legs, with the back four extending directly from the back and the arms. Relatively low to the ground, our French Gothic oak...
Textile, Oak
Chaise Longue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s chaise longue, mix of leather, sky and pony hair upholstery.
Wood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 30.32 in D 33.47 in
Alvar Aalto, a Pair of Lounge Chairs, Model 'RB 511' for Artek, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
A refined pair of lounge chairs, legs made in solid birch and fabric upholstered in a turquoise alcantara. Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in Finland. Model "RB 511". This rare col...
Fabric, Velvet, Birch
Chaise Longue, Model 39, Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bent birch and original webbing. Very early example. Measures: L 165 cm/ 5' 5” H 65 cm/ 25 1/2" D 62 cm/ 24 1/2".
Birch
"Model 39" Chaise Lounge by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1945-1956
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare chaise lounge model 39 designed by Alvar Aalto. This example made by the Artek factory in Hedemora in Sweden between 1945-1956. Made from l...
Jute, Birch
Alvar Aalto Chaise Lounge Chair for Artek Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A bent birch wood chaise lounge chair with two removable upholstered cushions and a matching adjustable headrest. Sculptural and comfortable this hard to find chaise makes a great ad...
Bentwood
"Model 39" Chaise Lounge by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1945-1956
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare chaise lounge model 39 designed by Alvar Aalto. This example made by the Artek factory in Hedemora in Sweden between 1945-1956. Made from l...
Jute, Birch
Sold
H 28 in W 68 in D 24.75 in
Alvar Aalto, Early and Rare Cantilevered Chaise in White Fabric, circa 1937
By Alvar Aalto
Located in High Point, NC
A rare overstuffed variation of Alvar Aalto's famous chaise longue designed in 1936. Reupholstered in off-white fabric. Base in laminated birch. Manufactured by O.Y.Huonekalu- ja Rak...
Fabric, Birch