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.
An Exceptionally Rare Alvar Aalto War-time Coffee table in Birch, Artek 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful wartime coffee or sofa table by Alvar Aalto. This table features the distinctive wartime joints, a construction detail used during and around the Second World War when ma...
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
Alvar Aalto L-Legged Table by Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek table, birch with cream linoleum. Designed by Alvar Aalto. The table is from around the 1950s and has beautiful patina.
Birch
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
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
Alvar Aalto L-Legged Table by Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek table, birch with yellow linoleum. Designed by Alvar Aalto. The table is from the 1960s and shows nicely signs of life. Some extra holes in the legs.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Dining Table for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dining table designed by Alvar Aalto, for Artek. The table features a rectangular blue laminate top that sits atop bent birch wood legs. This design features Aalto’s signature metho...
Laminate, Birch, Bentwood
$1,610
H 23.63 in W 39.38 in D 23.63 in
Alvar Aalto Birch Wood Side Table for Artek, Mid-Century Modern
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
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
Authentic Tea Trolley 901 in Birch by Alvar Aalto & Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Hella Jongerius, Artek
Located in Glendale, 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 addit...
Birch
$811
H 25.99 in Dm 39.38 in
Alvar Aalto large coffee low table, Artek c. 1970s, birch & white laminate top
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in London, GB
Alvar Aalto, Finland (designer) Coffee / Low Table Designed c. 1933, this example produced by Artek, Finland, c. 1970s. Birch and white laminate. Very good condition with some light...
Wood
Model Y61 Table by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Finland. Glass top with birch frame.
Glass, Birch
Table 81A by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
Alvar Aalto designed Table 81A for Artek in the 1950s. Artek is a Finnish furniture manufacturer that Aalto co-founded in 1935. The table is made of solid birch wood, which is maste...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Drop-leaf Table by Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek drop-leaf table, design by Alvar Aalto. The table has cream linoleum top. The table is from around 1950s, in original condition, in really good shape and has beautiful patina o...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Table model X800D by Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek X800D table, ash top, birch legs. Design by Alvar Aalto. In very good used condition. Artek sticker on the bottom from 2008.
Birch, Ash
Alvar Aalto Y805C Table by Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek Y805C glass table, designed by Alvar Aalto. The table is old, probably from the 1950s, and shows the old joints. Good used condition and a wonderful patina.
Birch, Glass
Sold
H 22.05 in Dm 24.81 in
Alvar Aalto Round Club Table in Dark Stained Birch Model A71, Artek, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A versatile model A71 round table designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Huonekalu ja Rakenneustyötehdas AB in Finland in the 1930s.The table is in walnut stained birch with rou...
Birch, Plywood
Alvar Aalto" X800" Fan Leg Table
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Fan legged “X800? coffee/ side table designed by Alvar Aalto in 1954. Manufactured by Artek in Finland. Stained ash veneer square top with solid birch le...
Ash, Birch
Sold
H 19.69 in W 40.56 in D 40.56 in
Alva Aalto, Mid-Century Modern, Glass and Wood Y805A Low Table, circa 1980
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table Y805A designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1980 for Artek. Wood legs and glass. In great original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful...
Wood, Glass
Rare Alvar Aalto Table 907 Produced by Artek, 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Alvar Aalto's innovative L-leg coffee table, double coffee table designed 1933. Elegant low birch table with its clever magazine shelf. Produced ...
Birch, Plywood