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.
Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools Finland ca' 1950's-60's Mid Century Patina
By Alvar Aalto
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great set of four (4) stools by Alvar Aalto made in Finland, most likely by Artek, vintage 1950's-60's. The stacking stools have a wonderful patina and nice smooth finish.
Birch
$2,138
H 17.33 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Vintage Midcentury Alvar Aalto stool, model "Y61", Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovely stool by Alvar Aalto, model “Y 61”. Made from birch with flowing lines, wreathed rattan seat.
Rattan, Birch
$6,401 / set
H 17.33 in Dm 16.54 in
Alvar Aalto 5 Early L-Leg Stools "Model 60" Red Linoleum & Birch, Finland, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
Set of 5 early L-leg stools by Alvar Aalto in laminated birch and seats with red linoleum. Made in the 1960s at Artek. Alvar Aalto’s Three-legged stool model 60 designed in 1934 is t...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool 60
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Miami, FL
Stool 60 designed by Alvar Aalto, strong patina with some chips. Please see picture 3 for accurate color.
Bentwood
$2,607
H 17.72 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Alvar Aalto X600 Stool, Birch Wood, Mid-Century Modern, Finland, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Argelato, BO
Alvar Aalto, Birch Stool, Model X600, by Artek, circa 1960s. A naturally colored Alvar Aalto' s X600 stool. It is one of the most iconic models of the famous Finnish architect and ...
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
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
Alvar Aalto Artek Stool 60 Finland 1950s Vintage Original
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 60 stool, birch. The stool is from the 1950s-1960s. Designer Alvar Aalto. Good used condition.
Birch
Stool, model X602 designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stool, model X602 designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland, 1950s. Lacquered birch with seat upholstered in artificial leather. H: 45.5 cm / 17 7/8" L: 43 cm / 16 7/8" D: 43 cm / 16 7/8"
Faux Leather, Birch
Early Alvar Aalto Stool 60, Artek 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Early Alvar Aalto Stool 60 in original condition and nicely patinated. Manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab from the 1930s.
Birch
Alvar Aalto's iconic Stool 60, from Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Alvar Aalto's iconic Stool 60, from Artek 1950s, s the epitome of minimalistic furniture, versatile enough to serve as a seat, a table, a storage unit, or even a display surface. Thi...
Birch
$2,773 / set
H 17.33 in Dm 13.78 in
A Pair of Wooden Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto Stools Model 60, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A pair of iconic Mid-Century Modern stools by Alvar Aalto, made in the 1940s-50s. The ingenious stacking design has made these stools a timeless favourite and one of Aalto’s most end...
Birch
Funky Alvar Aalto Stool Model 60
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Kangasala, FI
Early iconic Alvar Aalto's stool 60 from the 1940's with beautiful and warm patina on the L-legs. Reupholstered with funky and colorful fabric. The color scheme that takes your mind...
Wool, Birch
Alvar Aalto Model 60 Stool, circa 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Alvar Aalto Model 60 Stool, circa 1940s. Manufactured by O.Y Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas A.B in Finland. Bent solid birch and birch plywood. H...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stools
By Alvar Aalto
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great set of four (4) stools by Alvar Aalto made in Finland and distributed by ICF, NYC. The stacking stools have a wonderful patina and original finish.
Birch
Set of Four Alvar Aalto "Model X602" Stools for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare set of four Model X602 "Fan Leg" stools by Alvar AAlto for Artek. The stools feature a tripod leg frame with Aalto's signature "Fan Leg" detail and patinated leather upholstered...
Leather, Birch
Alvar Aalto Model 60 Stool
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model 60 three-legged stool by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Sweden, circa 1950s. The stool features a red painted circular wooden top and birch bentwood legs with A...
Wood, Birch, Plywood