Alvar Aalto Stools
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
Set of 4 Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Black Laminate, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of 4 Alvar Aalto model 60 stools in birch and black laminate, designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1930s, manufactured by Huonekalu- Ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy in Finland, and retailed ...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch, Laminate
Set of 3 Alvar Aalto Stackable Stools Model 60, Marimekko Fabric, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
These three Alvar Aalto iconic stools from 1940s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round seat ...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch, Fabric
A 'Pair' of Roughly Loved Alvar Aalto Stools Model 60 In Birch, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A pair of Artek stools in birch and multi layered colourful beautiful patina, designed by Alvar Aalto and retailed by Artek in the 1950s. The model 60 stool is perhaps the most well ...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Pair of Model 60 Stools, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Pair of model 60 stools, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1960s. Birch frame, red linoleum seat. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. T...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Pair of Scandinavian Modern Alvar Aalto white laminate Stools by Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, ICF New York
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Scandinavian Modern Alvar Aalto white laminate with blonde birch wood Stools by Artek. Clean ready for use. Stackable. Labeled ICF NYC. Made circa 1970.
Sold as a Pair (2)...
Category
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Laminate, Bentwood, Birch
$1,280 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Stool Model 60, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Stool model 60, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s. Birch with red linoleum seat. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consisten...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto 4 Legged Stools E60 Wartime Version in Red & Blue, Artek 1940s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto war-time stools are extremely sought after collectibles for the simple reason that not many of them are available any more. A war-time stoo...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Wood
Iconic Alvar Aalto 3-legged Stool Model 60 In Birch, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Artek stool in birch and beautiful dark patina, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek in the 1960s. The model 60 stool is perhaps the most well known Aalto design and has...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Early Finnish Mid Century Wooden Tripod Stool 60 in Birch by Alvar Aalto, 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and early iconic Finnish mid century wooden stool "model 60" in bent birch designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek, Finland 1940s.
In good original condition with signs f...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool in Leather for Artek, circa 1960
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1960.
Manufactured by Artek (Finland).
New leather top, wood legs and structure.
In great original condition, with minor wear consistent wit...
Category
1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Leather, Wood
$1,530 Sale Price
20% Off
Alvar Aalto 3 Legged Stool Model 60 In Birch & Beige Linoleum, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
An Artek stool in birch and beige linoleum designed by Alvar Aalto and retailed by Artek in the 1950s. The model 60 stool is perhaps the most well known Aalto design and has always b...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto, Stools, Birch, Finland, 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of red-laminated birch stools designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek, Finland, c. 1950s.
Seat height is 17.5"
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
$2,200 / set
A Pair of Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Black Laminate, Artek 1950s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
These two iconic Alvar Aalto stools from the 1950s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round sea...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Fabric, Birch
1980s Tripod Stool Iconic Design Style of Alvar Aalto Denmark
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1980s low wood stool Design by Alvar Aalto for Artek Denmark
Scandinavian Modern Classic
Dark stained wood.
Useful as a small side table.
Measures: 17.5 tall x 15.5 depth
Origin...
Category
1980s Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Wood
Set of 4 K65 Stools by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
An iconic set of four K65 stools designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek in the 1960s. These pieces perfectly capture the essence of Finnish modernism, where simplicity, functi...
Category
20th Century Finnish Other Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Wood
Set of Two Model 60 Stools, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Set of two model 60 stools by Alvar Aalto for Artek from the 1950s. Birch with imitation leather. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. Iconic Alvar Aa...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Faux Leather, Birch
Alvar Aalto, Pair of X601 Stools with Fan Legs & Brown Leather, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
This stool was designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek originally in the 1950s. We have noticed throughout the years that this stool has been often used as a bed side table. It can also b...
Category
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Leather, Birch
Finmar Three Legged Stool, Finland 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
This stool is a timeless classic which captures the midcentury style.
Model 60.
It is made from birch was designed by Alvar Aalto in Finland and was originally sold in the UK by Fin...
Category
1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Wood
A Pair of Alvar Aalto Stools Model 60, Red Pegamoid Upholstery, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
These two iconic Alvar Aalto stools from the 1950s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round sea...
Category
1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Set of 6 Alvar Aalto 3 Legged Stackable Birch Stools Model. 60, Artek 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
These six Alvar Aalto iconic stools from 1930s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round seat wi...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Finnish Wooden Children Low Stools in Bent Birch by Alvar Aalto & Artek Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare set of four Finnish wooden four legged low children stools in bent birch by Alvar Aalto produced by Artek Finland ca 1980s. In good original and matching condition with natural ...
Category
1980s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Stool Model 60, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Stool model 60, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1950s. Birch frame with black linoleum seat. Good vintage condition, patina and wear c...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Pair of stools in birch model 60 designed by Alvar Aalto, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Hägersten, SE
Pair of stools model 60 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Artek during the 1950s. Honey tone birch and black laminate seats. good vintage condition with age related patina and wea...
Category
1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Laminate, Birch
Model 60 Stool, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930/1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 60 stool, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930/1940s. Painted birch. Good vintage condition, rich patina and wear consistent wi...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch, Paint
Set of Two Model 60 Stools, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy, 30s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Set of two model 60 stools, design Alvar Aalto for Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy from the 1930s, Birch. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. Icon...
Category
1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Early Alvar Aalto Bentwood Stool
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in New Windsor, NY
A very early example of Aalto's iconic use of laminated and bentwood. This stool has all the patina, wear and bruises of time and use. Circa 1940-1950. Original green fabric upholste...
Category
1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
$1,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Original first production 1930s Alvar Aalto stool 60 for Finmar Ltd
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Bristol, GB
Original early production Model 60 stool.
Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1934, made in Finland Ltd, distributed in the UK by Finmar. Now very hard to find.
Stamped 'Made in Finland' to...
Category
1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 Elm Top, manufactured 1950's vintage
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Stool 60 designed by Alvar Aalto in 1932.
This item is manufactured in the 1950s.
This seat top is elm.It is a rare individual.
Elm wood is characterized by its beautiful grain and i...
Category
1950s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch, Elm
Alvar Aalto Teal Stool 60
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
This iconic Alvar Aalto Stool is a masterclass in minimalist design and enduring craftsmanship. Aalto's celebrated bent plywood construction is on full display, with three gracefully...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Plywood
Pair of Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Marimekko Unikko Textile, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
These two iconic Alvar Aalto stools from the 1930s are beautiful and space saving furniture pieces of timeless design. The legs are mounted directly to the underside of the round sea...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto Y61 Stool
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Highland, IN
Designed in 1947, Alvar Aalto's Y61 stool required a special technique to create the unique Y-leg. This vintage example was sold in the US by ICF and has a rich patina attesting to y...
Category
1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Canvas, Birch
alvar aalto stool60 finmar 30's painted black
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
alvar aalto 30's finmar .
Finmar tag remains on the back of the seat.
The seat is painted black, but pink paint can be seen here and there.
The legs also se...
Category
1930s Finnish Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Stools
Materials
Birch
$3,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Alvar Aalto stools for sale on 1stDibs.
Alvar Aalto stools 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 stools, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original stools by Alvar Aalto were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider stools by Ilmari Tapiovaara, Artek, and Bertel Gardberg. Prices for Alvar Aalto stools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $500 and can go as high as $10,297, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,560.
Creators Similar to Alvar Aalto
Questions About Alvar Aalto Stools
- 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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