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.
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 Side / Newspaper Table Model A 86 in Birch for Artek, 1930s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, 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
$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
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
Vintage Alvar Aalto Style Bentwood Side Table / Stool
By Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
A stunning vintage Alvar Aalto style bentwood side table / stool. This was likely made in Finland by Finmar, it dates from the 1930-50’s. It is of amazing quality, the circular top ...
Walnut, Bentwood
$1,069Sale Price|35% Off
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
Model 915 Side Table, Alvar Aalto, Artek, 1950/1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 915 side table, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Artek, 1950/1960s. Beautiful honey colored patinated birch legs with white painted table tops. Good vintage condition, ...
Birch, Paint
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
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 Side Table Model A86 in Honey Birch, Artek, 1940s
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
Sleek Alvar Aalto Side / Magazine Table model. 75, Black & Birch, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
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
Small Alvar Aalto Side Table Model 86 in Birch for Artek, 1940s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
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
Occasional table model 915 Designed by Alvar Aalto Finland, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
The model was designed in 1931–32 for the Paimio Sanatorium, Finland. Originally created for the Paimio Sanatorium in Finland, the table reflects Aalto's commitment to human-centere...
Bentwood
Stool 60 with finger joint seat by Alvar Aalto for Artek (1950s)
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
Alvar Aalto's iconic Stool 60 is the most elemental of furniture pieces, equally suitable as a seat, a table, storage unit, or display surface. Born of modernist ideals and Finnish...
Bentwood
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
Alvar Aalto Birch Wood Side Table for Artek, Mid-Century Modern
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Alvar Aalto L leg rectangular side table for Artek. Bentwood laminated-birch legs. Original black linoleum top. Can be used as coffee table, console or child desk. Nice patina.
Birch
Early Side Table, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Side table, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s. Stained birch frame with oak veneer table top. Good vintage condition, minor patina...
Birch, Oak
Modernist Alvar Aalto Round Coffee Table Model 72 in Birch for Artek, 1950s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Mid-Century Modern round coffee table model 72 by Architect Alvar Aalto for Artek from The 1950s. The table is in full birch with the iconic bent legs. This medium sized and light ta...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Side Table by Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek two-tier side table, with old finger-jointed legs from the shortage period, designed by Alvar Aalto. The table is from the 1940s, in good used condition and has a wonderful pat...
Birch
Model 70 Side Table, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1940s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Model 70 side table, design Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1940/1950s. Birch. Marked. Good vintage condition, rich patina consistent with age and...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Side Table 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
L-legged side table from 1950s designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek. The table has beautiful patina of age and original cream white linoleum top. The table is in great c...
Birch
$1,244Sale Price|25% Off
Alvar Aalto Side Table 1950s-1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
An L-legged side table designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Artek. The table is from the 1950s-60s. The table is stained and in fine used condition.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Side Table by Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek two-tiered side table, designed by Alvar Aalto. The table is from the 1940s-1950s, in good used condition and has a wonderful patina. On the bottom there is an old Artek stamp.
Birch
$1,233Sale Price|25% Off
Scandinavian Modern Birch Side Table by Alvar Aalto, 2002 for Artek Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Turku, Finland
Classic Alvar Aalto side table produced by Artek in 2002, featuring the designer’s iconic L-leg construction which was a revolutionary bent-wood technique introduced in the 1930s. Th...
Birch
An Exceptionally Rare Alvar Aalto War-time Joints Small Side table, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful war-time side table by Alvar Aalto. The patina is in our opinion quite nice and as such deserves to be untouched really. It has some old repairs that tell of its long his...
Birch
Alvar Aalto, Side Table, Birch, Sweden, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in High Point, NC
A moulded birch side table designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek, Hedemora, Sweden, c. 1950s. Wear to wood consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 23.75"H ...
Wood, Birch
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
Elegant Bentwood Side Table by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Riverdale, NY
Elegant side table by Alvar Aalto, made from natural bent wood birch contrasting with black lacquer. Iconic design originally designed in 1932, originally for the Paimio Sanatorium...
Bentwood
Pair of Alvar Aalto Small Side Tables Model A86 in Honey Birch, Artek, 1940s
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
This pair of rare Model A86 side tables by Alvar Aalto is distinguished by their smaller-than-usual size, offering greater versatility in placement and ease of movement within interi...
Birch
Rare Aino Aalto Child Measuring Table in Birch, Collector Item, Artek 1950's
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
This table/sidetable was first designed as a measuring table for babies in hospitals. It has a metric measuring unit attached to it, and a sliding wooden piece to adjust according to...
Birch
alvar aalto 1940's 71 side table
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
1940's Alvar Aalto 71 side table.
Birch