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.
1950s Aino and Alvar Aalto for Artek 60 Stool / Side Table in Birch
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Stool 60, originally designed by Aino and Alvar in 1933. This particular example was produced by Artek in Finland circa the 1950s. The stool is crafted from solid birch wit...
Birch
Midcentury Modern Stools by Alvar Aalto, Sweden, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Set of five stools by Alvar Aalto, made from beech. Clean design with three legs. Original condition with some chips and dents in the wood, overall nice condition. Made by Aalto Des...
Wood
Pair of Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Marimekko Unikko Textile, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
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...
Fabric, Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto 3-legged Stool Model 60 In Birch & Teak, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A lovely and rare version of the iconic Alvar Aalto stool for Artek with birch legs and a teak top seat. The model 60 stool is perhaps the most well known Aalto design and has always...
Birch, Teak
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 Black Linoleum
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Alvar Aalto stool 60 in birch and black linoleum, manufactured by Artek in the 1950s. Very nice vintage condition.
Birch
Alvar Aalto for Artek L-Leg Bentwood Stool, Model 60
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Astoria, NY
Alvar Aalto for Artek L-Leg Bentwood Stool, model 60, originally designed 1933, this example produced 2007, birch plywood with red laminate top, label to underside. 17.5" H x 15.5" ...
Laminate, Birch
Artek Model 60 Stool by Alvar Aalto, 1940s, Fully Original with Beautiful Patina
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kangasala, FI
A beautiful vintage Artek Model 60 stool designed by Alvar Aalto, dating from the 1940s. This example is preserved in fully original condition, retaining its original wooden constru...
Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto 3-legged "Sandwich" Stool Model 60 In Birch, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare version of the iconic Alvar Aalto stool for Artek with birch legs and upholstered top. This is the so called "Swandich" model which has the upholstery going only half way down...
Birch, Wool
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...
Wood
Alvar Aalto Stool X600 "Fan Leg" in Birch and Oak, Artek, 1950s
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 1950s in Finland. Even though simple, this stool comes with great quality and attention to detail. The X-leg or ...
Birch, Oak
$3,076Sale Price|25% Off
Alvar Aalto Rare Stool in Wood and Leather for Artek, circa 1950
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stool designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1950. Manufactured by Artek, (Finland) Leather top, wood legs and structure. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use ...
Leather, Wood
$2,513Sale Price|35% Off
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 by Artek 1950s in Green Linoleum
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek's model 60 stool, design by Alvar Aalto. Beautifully patinated birch with rare green linoleum top. In good used condition. The stool is from circa 1950s. Designed by Alvar Aal...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool Y61 by Artek Finland 1950s Original
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek Y61 stool, birch with original black leather upholstery. The stool is from the 1950s. Designer Alvar Aalto. In good used condition.
Birch, Leather
Set of Alvar Aalto Stool X600 in Birch and Original Black Leather, Artek, 1960s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of 3 beautiful model X600 stools designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1960s in Finland. Even though simple, these stools come with great quality and attention to detail. Th...
Leather, Birch
Iconic Alvar Aalto 3-legged Stool Model 60, Birch & Green Paint, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
An iconic model 60 stool in birch, green paint and a 100% beautiful and unique patina. Designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek in the 1930s, this design has definitely stood the test of t...
Birch
Rare Alvar Aalto Stool X600 for Artek in Original Blue Leather and Birch, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Even though simple, this stool comes with great quality and attention to details. The less common X-leg with the leather padding brings plain beauty to any interior. The original blu...
Leather, Elm
Alvar Aalto 5 Early L-Leg Stools "Model 60" Red Linoleum & Birch, Finland, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
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
Rare Alvar Aalto Finger Joint Wartime Stool Model 60, Artek, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
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...
Wool, Wood
Set of 4 Alvar Aalto Stools Model no 60, Marimekko Unikko Textile, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A sculptural fusion of form and function, this set of four 1940s Alvar Aalto stools exemplifies the purity of Scandinavian Modern design. With their legs mounted directly beneath the...
Fabric, Birch
Alvar Aalto 3 Legged Stool Model 60 In Birch & Beige Linoleum, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
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...
Birch
Very Rare "Sandwich" Stool 60 Alvar Aalto 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Very Rare stool 60 "Sandwich" Alvar Aalto. Manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s. The upholstery of the stool is original. Over the years the seat was upholstered...
Birch
A Pair of Alvar Aalto Stools Model 60, Red Pegamoid Upholstery, Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
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...
Birch
Iconic Alvar Aalto 3-legged Stool Model 60, Birch & Black Pegamoid, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
The iconic stool model 60 in birch and black pegamoid or faux leather, designed by Alvar Aalto and retailed by Artek in the 1950s. This stool is perhaps the most well known Aalto des...
Birch, Faux Leather
Pair of Alvar Aalto Model 60 Stools by Finsven, Sweden, Mid-20th Century.
By Alvar Aalto, Finsven
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome matched pair of Scandinavian Modern Model 60 stools designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto in 1933 and manufactured in Sweden by Finsven, circa 1945–1950. Each stool fe...
Wood
Model 60 Stool, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950/1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 60 Stool, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1950/1960s. Birch with rare wine color vinyl. Good vintage condition, patina and wear consistent with age and use. A...
Birch
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...
Faux Leather, Birch
Model 60 Stool, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930/1940s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
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, heavy patina consistent with age an...
Birch, Paint
Set of 3 Alvar Aalto Stackable Stools Model 60, Marimekko Fabric, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
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 ...
Birch, Fabric
$608Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Tripod Stool Iconic Design Style of Alvar Aalto Denmark
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a low wood stool Design by Alvar Aalto for Artek Denmark Scandinavian Modern Classic, circa the 1980s. Dark stained wood. Useful as a small side table. No ma...
Wood
$2,107 / set
Set of Two Alvar Aalto Y61 Stools from 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Alvar Aalto model Y61 stool, birch with black saddle belts and and beautiful Y-shaped leg structures. Very good vintage condition, the saddle belts have been renewed. Manufactured by...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Stool 60 Black Linoleum
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Alvar Aalto stool 60 in birch and black linoleum, manufactured by Artek in the 1950s. Very nice vintage condition.
Birch
$1,800 / set
Counter Stools by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2012. Finland. Black wood frames, from the Apple Store.
Wood
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
Alvar Aalto for Finmar Artek Stool
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Alvar Aalto four legged stool made with bending chair legs of solid wood. This method of bending was conceived by joiner Otto Korhonen. Legs are m...
Birch
1950s Alvar Aalto stool X602 in rich patinated birch and Niger leather. By Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in København K, 84
Presenting Alvar Aalto stool model X602 in a rich patinated birch upholstered in premium brown Niger goat leather. Produced by Artek in late 1950s. The Alvar Aalto stool model X602...
Leather, Birch
$1,968Sale Price|20% Off
Rare 1930s Alvar Aalto Model 60 “Sandwich” Stool With Original Black Patina
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kangasala, FI
A rare and highly characterful early Model 60 “Sandwich” stool designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured in Finland during the 1930s by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab. This excep...
Fabric, Birch
Early Alvar Aalto Stool 60
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Early stool 60 with finger joint seat, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by O.Y. Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas A.B in the 1930s. The stool has a later paint and the legs hav...
Birch
$1,967Sale Price|20% Off
Alvar Aalto Model 60 “Sandwich” Stool, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Kangasala, FI
A rare early example of Alvar Aalto's iconic Model 60 stool, manufactured in Finland during the 1930s by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, before the establishment of Artek. Th...
Wool, Birch
$1,406Sale Price|25% Off
Alvar Aalto Stool in Leather for Artek, circa 1960
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Barcelona, ES
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 with ag...
Leather, Wood
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
2019 Aino and Alvar Aalto for Artek Stool 64 in Ebonized Wood with Fabric Seats
By Alvar Aalto, Aino Aalto
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Stool 64, originally designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto for Artek in 1935. These particular examples were produced in 2019. The design features a three-legged bentwood constr...
Fabric, Birch