Many of the most important works by acclaimed Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto can be attributed to a single design element: the L-leg. The L-shaped design allowed legs to be attached directly to Aalto’s sophisticated tables and seating, without the need for a connecting joint. This innovation, which he called “the little sister of the architectural column,” characterized the designer’s penchant for simple, easily adaptable furniture pieces, such as the side tables, coffee tables and dining tables he created, which straddled elegance and simplicity.
Developed in partnership with furniture manufacturer Otto Korhonen and patented in 1933, the L-shaped leg — the result of Aalto’s experimentation with bending birchwood, a pioneering technique at the time — would become a hallmark of tables, stools (see his iconic Stool 60), benches and chairs that Aalto designed and produced through his company, Artek, which he cofounded in 1935 with his wife and designer Aino, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl. The company quickly found success selling streamlined, modern furniture both in Finland and, thanks to a growing interest in Nordic furniture outside Scandinavia, internationally, including the UK where many early Artek pieces were imported by the company Finmar.
Like much of his furniture, most of Aalto’s tables, especially early models, are constructed either fully or in part with birch, which the designer referred to as a “form-inspiring, deeply human material.” The flexibility of his L-leg design allowed for easily interchangeable combinations of tabletops. It also standardized the design process for multiple shapes, with the same bentwood L-legs attached to round, square or rectangular tops for a variety of table models. This look is a hallmark of Aalto’s style — and, indeed, of mid-century Scandinavian modern design in general. It has been frequently riffed on and copied throughout the ensuing decades, though Artek still produces Aalto’s original designs.
Find a wide range of vintage Alvar Aalto tables on 1stDibs.
Scandinavian Modern Vintage Squared Birch Side Table Alvar Aalto 1946 Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian Modern vintage square like form side table from plywood and birch dining table or side table by Alvar Aalto designed circa 1946 Finland manufactured circa 1960. A wonder...
Birch, Plywood
1939 World's Fair Marked Center Table by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare, museum quality, table with a solid teak top on laminated maple legs. Retaining a partial label from the 1939 World's Fair.
Teak, Maple
$2,341Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.89 in Dm 24.02 in
Mid-Century Sun Series Garden/Side Table by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Karis, Nyland
Old production Alvar Aalto Sun-series garden/side table, from mid-20th century and in great patinated condition. The table is made of painted birch, with a yellow laminate panel in t...
Brass, Enamel, Steel
Alvar Aalto Artek Table Finland 1940s Vintage Original
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek table, birch. Round with L-legs. Designer Alvar Aalto. The table is from around the 1940s-1950s and is in good used condition. The bottom of the table has an old Artek stamp. D...
Birch
Alvar Aalto L-Legged Table by Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek table, birch with cream linoleum. Designer Alvar Aalto. The table is from around the 1960s. A few extra holes in the table legs. Wear consistent with age. Great patina. Size ...
Birch
Round White Dining Table by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Finland. Linoleum top with birch frame.
Birch
Model 900 Tea Cart, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 900 cart, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1960s. Birch frame, ceramic tiles, rattan basket. Marked. Good vintage condition, patina and minor wear consistent with age...
Ceramic, Rattan, Birch
$7,200
H 22 in W 35.5 in D 19.75 in
Alvar Aalto Model 901 Tea Trolley, Birch Frame & White Top, Finland, 1950
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful Model 901 tea trolley designed 1930 by Alvar Aalto for Artek, white linoleum top with bentwood birch frame and white lacquered wood wheels with rubber rings. Good original ...
Rubber, Birch
Nesting Table, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1970s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Nesting table, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1970s. Birch and ash. Marked. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with agen and use. Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) i...
Ash, Birch
Alvar Aalto Table in Birch & Blue Linoleum, Artek 1960s
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
A classic L-leg table designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustehdas Oy and retailed by Artek in Finland. This piece exhibits a beautiful vintage patina, with ...
Birch
$895
H 17.5 in Dm 18.8 in
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Round Table w/ Bent Legs by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple yet elegant design by the iconic Alvar Aalto for artek. Round birch top about 19 in diameter with a height of 17.5 a good size to use in several locations. In very good condit...
Birch
$3,184
H 22.45 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Small Alvar Aalto Side Table Model 86 in Birch for Artek, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, FI
Mid-Century Modern side table model 86 by Architect Alvar Aalto for Artek. The table is in full birch with the iconic bent legs. This small size side table can be used in any room, a...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Side Table Model A86 in Honey Birch, Artek, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
This small size side table can be used in any room, and for a variety of purposes. The shelf feature makes it perfect as an arm chair or reading space side table. The vintage honey l...
Birch
Authentic Tea Trolley 901 in Birch by Alvar Aalto & Artek
By Artek, Hella Jongerius, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Authentic tea trolley 901 in birch and white laminate by Alvar Aalto & Artek. Alvar Aalto's tea trolleys serve as highly functional and distinctive a...
Birch
Sold
H 29.14 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Special Listing for Gia Scandinavian Modern Vintage Table Alvar Aalto 1946
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian Modern vintage square like form side table from plywood and birch dining table or side table by Alvar Aalto designed circa 1946 Finland manufactured circa 1960. A wonder...
Birch, Plywood
Vintage Alvar Aalto ‘Tea Trolley’ Cart 900, Artek Finland, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Round Rock, TX
Vintage ‘Tea Trolley 900’ cart designed in 1937 by Aino and Alvar Aalto for the World Exhibition in Paris. Increasing difficult to get here in the US, the trolley features a white ...
Ceramic, Rattan, Birch
Alvar Alto ‘Fan Leg’ Side or Coffee Table
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto was born at Kuortane, Finland, February 3, 1898 and received his diploma in architecture from the Helsinki Institute of Technology in 1921. There were few commissions in Finland, which was recovering from war and economic depression, so he first went to work in Sweden and in 1923 he opened an architectural office in Jyväskylä. From 1946-1948 he taught at MIT, where he designed Baker House, a student dormitory (1947-1948) along the Charles River. Designed by one of the great masters of Finnish Modernism, the “Fan Leg” table...
Ash, Birch
Mid-Century Original Alvar Aalto Round Table Birch
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
1940s original Alvar Aalto round table birch in good condition. The top is slightly uneven.
Birch