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.
Wingback Lounge Chair by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare and sculptural wingback lounge chair having a cantilevered laminated birch frame and retaining its original handstitched textured linen upholstery.
Upholstery, Birch
Danish Modern 1940s Wingback Lounge Chair With Wooden Wings
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Great example of early Danish midcentury design, circa 1930-40s wingback chair in hand carved solid oak with exposed sides and brass tacks. Sturdy and strong construction of generous...
Wool, Oak
Model 406 Lounge Chairs by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Finland. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Previous mark where ICF label was is pictured for both chairs.
Cotton, Birch
$32,030
H 27.56 in W 29.93 in D 35.44 in
Alvar Aalto Tank Arm Chair Model 400 in Sheepskin, Artek 1950s
By Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A mid century Alvar Aalto “Tank” chair, model 400, produced by Artek in the 1950s. This example has been fully renovated and newly upholstered in first grade sheepskin that beautiful...
Sheepskin, Birch
Alvar Aalto Paded Cantilever Armchair Model 43, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
An early padded Spring chair model 43 designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek and manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyömaa from the 1940s. This chair is one of the most recognizable pi...
Metal
Pair of High + Low Back 1940s Wingback Lounge Chairs
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1940s Materials: Wool, Beech Measurements: Condition: Frames are in excellent original condition with wear to th...
Wool, Beech
$4,347
H 36.23 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in
Alvar Aalto Armchair with Special Height, Artek, "Enso-Gutzeit", 1962
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
A very rare Alvar Aalto armchair made for the Enso-Gutzeit ("Stora Enso") Headquarters in 1962. Birch, green fabric and leather. Great original condition with age related wear. Stamp...
Leather, Beech
$5,719
H 27.17 in W 24.02 in D 29.14 in
Alvar Aalto 402 Series Armchair for Artek, circa 1960, lambskin
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Lounge chair designed by Alvar Aalto manufactured, circa 1960. New upholstered with lambskin Curved birch plywood and braided vegetable fiber. Measures: 74 x 61 x 69 cm.
Sheepskin, Birch
Early Wingback Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c. 1940s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An extremely rare pair of early wingback chairs model no. 1038 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940s. This set delivers an architectural silhouette - a tall back boasts ...
Upholstery, Wood
$9,723
H 40.16 in W 28.35 in D 27.96 in
K. Rasmussen for Peter Wessel Wingback Leather Lounge Chair, 1960
By K. Rasmussen, Peter Wessel
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This beautiful wingback chair is designed by K. Rasmussen for Peter Wessel from Norway. It has the original black leather with a fabulous patina. The seat is adjustable for a loung...
Brass
$3,660Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.76 in W 23.82 in D 28.35 in
Model 402 Lounge Chair by Alvar Aalto for Artek, 1950´s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Kangasala, FI
Lounge chair model 402 designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured in the 1950's by Artek. This chair is extremely light, as almost every design piece of Alvar Aalto's work are. This ch...
Wool, Birch
'Tank' Lounge Chair by Alvar Aalto for Artek
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This vintage original 'Tank' lounge 400 by Alvar Aalto for Artek was produced during the 1940's. The beechwood frame has developed a rich patina. Displays finish loss in some areas...
Beech
$3,500Sale Price|30% Off
H 39 in W 24.5 in D 32 in
All Original Vintage Alvar Aalto Wingback Armchair 401 by Artek Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
All Original Vintage Alvar Aalto Armchair # 401 by Artek made in Finland. Great wingback lounge chair model 401 designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, 1933. This chair was purch...
Upholstery, Birch, Rattan
Pair of Model 401 Alvar Aalto Wing Chairs
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of laminated birch wood wingback armchairs designed by Alvar Aalto. Unmarked but presumed to be produced by Arte in the 1970s. Newly upholstered i...
Birch
Alvar Aalto 401 Wingback Chairs Artek, Finland, 1970
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stylish pair of wingback lounge chairs model 401 designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, 1933. These chairs were purchased at Metz and Co. in the 1970s. The chairs have a birch p...
Upholstery, Plywood
Alvar Aalto 401 Wingback Lounge Chair for Artek, Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Alvar Aalto 401 wingback lounge chair for Artek, Finland. Birch plywood frame and new charcoal / dark grey wool upholstery. All in very good condition. Fr...
Fabric, Plywood