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.
Alvar Aalto "Model X601" Side Table for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally designed in 1954, the "Fan Leg" side table by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, c.1970s. The table features a birch frame with Aalto's signature "Fan Leg" detail. Dimension...
Birch
Early Alvar Aalto for Finmar Table
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early bentwood side table, designed by Alvar Aalto for Finmar, Finland, circa 1940s. Classic example of Danish modern design.
Beech
$2,800 / set
Alvar Aalto End Tables or Night Stands
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Alvar Aalto end tables, for Artek, Finland, circa 1980s. They retain their warm original patina. They are a versatile size and can be used as end or side tables, or as night ...
Wood, Birch
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Step End Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three-tiered step up side table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950. This table is in wonderful condition and can be used as an end ...
Walnut
$88,081 / set
H 28.35 in Dm 46.07 in
Dining Set Designed by Alvar Aalto for Finmar Ltd., Finland, 1929
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dining set designed by Alvar Aalto for Finmar Ltd., Finland, 1929. Birch. Stamped. This rare dining set by the Finish design icon Alvar Aalto is character...
Birch
$1,893
H 22.45 in W 23.43 in D 16.15 in
Side Table, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustehdas Ab, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Side table, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustehdas Ab, 1940s. Painted birch. Good vintage condition, patina and minor wear consistent with age and use. ...
Birch, Paint
Alvar Aalto L-Legged Table by Artek 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
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
$895
H 17.5 in Dm 18.8 in
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Round Table w/ Bent Legs by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
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
Alvar Aalto Writing Table Model K81 in Birch, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A rare Mid-Century Modern writing desk in full birch model K81 manufactured by Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas for Artek. The minimalist design of the table already designed in the 1...
Birch
$4,400 / set
H 23 in W 24 in D 17 in
Pair Two Drawers Walnut Mid-Century Modern End Side Night Stands Tables Mint!
By Lane Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair two drawers walnut Mid-Century Modern end side night stands tables mint!
Walnut
Model 900 Tea Cart, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
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
$2,972
H 22.05 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Alvar Aalto Side / Newspaper Table Model A 86 in Birch for Artek, 1930s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Artek, Alvar Aalto
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
$3,259
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 Artek, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
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
$6,741
H 21.66 in W 23.63 in D 20.08 in
Sleek Alvar Aalto Side / Magazine Table model. 75, Black & Birch, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto side table / spear table model number 75, designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, and manufactured by Huonekalu- Ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy in Finland in the 1950s. Another iconi...
Birch
35.5" Fan Leg Side Table by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Pasadena, TX
Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto was born at Kuortane, Finland, February 3, 1898. He received his diploma in architecture from the Helsinki Institute of Technology in 1921. There were few com...
Birch
Alvar Aalto For Artek Finland Fan Leg End Side Tables, Pair
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Miami, FL
Alvar Aalto For Artek Finland Fan Leg End Side Tables, Pair Offered for sale is a pair of Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland fan leg side tables or end tables. This lovely pair of tabl...
Beech, Birch
Alvar Aalto Model 900 tea trolley, Alivar, 1980s
By Alvar Aalto, Alivar
Located in Rivoli, IT
Iconic no tea trolley with a sophisticated design by Alvar Aalto. Birch wood frame, tabletop formed by black ceramic tiles, rattan basket under the outlet. This iconic piece was fir...
Ceramic, Rattan, Birch
Early Alvar Aalto for Artek Birch and Black Laminate Stool 60
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in New Windsor, NY
A good and early example by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Sweden bentwood birch and black laminate Stool 60. Circa 1950. Fully signed on the bottom with ink stamp, Aalto Design, Artek, Made...
Laminate, Birch, Bentwood
Pair of Artek Alvar Aalto 90D Black and White Round End Tables
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
The Artek Alvar Aalto 90D Black and White End Tables are a stunning combination of timeless design and functionality. Crafted by the renowne...
Wood
Sold
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Alvar Aalto , Two Tier Plywood Table , model 915 , stamped Finsven , 1940's .
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Alvar Aalto , two tiered table , model 915 first designed by Aalto in 1932 as part of the furnishings for the Paimio Sanitorium . Birch ply moulded legs supporting two birch ply shel...
Plywood
Artek Side Table by Alvar Aalto. !950´s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Turku, Finland
Rare side table by Alvar Aalto for Artek Finland. Classic Alvar Aalto design with bentwood birch legs and blue linoleum top, Made in the 1950´s. Dimensions of table top: Width 52cm...
Birch
Sold
H 22 in W 39.25 in D 23.5 in
Alvar Aalto for Finsven Inc. Birch & Black Occasional Table, Circa 1940
By Finsven, Alvar Aalto
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Early Alvar Aalto for Finsven Inc. Side Table. End Table. Coffee Table. Featuring a rectangular form, newly relacquered Black surface, multi layered Birch bentwood legs, with 7.5" of...
Enamel
Set of 4 Alvar Aalto Round Birch Bent Leg Nesting Tables c.1950s Made in Sweden
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 4 Alvar Aalto round birch bent leg nesting tables c.1950s made in Sweden. Super clean antique condition.
Birch
Side Table 915 by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Side table 915 by Alvar Aalto, made from birch bentwood with a white lacquered table top and shelf. Appealing, flowing lines with soft corners. Designed in 1932, originally for the P...
Birch, Lacquer
Alvar Aalto End Tables or Nightstands
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of clean lined fan leg tables, designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, circa 1980s. They are a versatile size and can be used as end or side tab...
Beech, Birch
Alvar Aalto Model 76 Two-Tier Side Table
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two tiered side table by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Sweden, circa 1950s. The table features birch bentwood legs and lower shelf with curved ends, and has a thin birch plywood top over a ...
Birch, Bentwood, Plywood
Midcentury Early Alvar Aalto Pair of Side Lamp Tables, Original Rare
By Alvar Aalto
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Designed by Alvar Aalto, produced in Sweden Pre Artek. Rare set of matching medium sized 4-leg side lamp tables. Amazing patina and shows beautifully. Great construction details.
Wood