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 Vanity Table, 1930 — Dark Stained Birch, Original Condition
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional and early vanity table designed by Alvar Aalto and dating to circa 1930. This piece is a beautiful example of Aalto’s pioneering work in bentwood construction and his ...
Birch
Swedish Art Deco Dressing Table Vanity, Teak & Mirror, Circa 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unique Art Deco dressing table with foldable mirrors. Ample storage on the sides and pull-out drawer in the center.
Mirror, Teak
Alvar Aalto Dining Table
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Architectural Dining Table, designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, circa 1970s. Retains wonderful original patina only retained with age. Please see our other 1stdib...
Laminate, Beech, Birch
A Fine French 1930s Burled Birch Vanity
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco European burled birch vanity with two drawers and chrome details.
Chrome
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 40 in D 13.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Mirrored Vanity Table after Alvar Aalto design for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Unique, petite single drawer vanity and mirror after the design of Alvar Aalto for Artek. It's simplistic design is stunning. Circa 1960's, this piece is constructed using natural B...
Mirror, Oak
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 Side Table Model A86 in Honey Birch, Artek, 1940s
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
Alvar Aalto Table in Birch & Blue Linoleum, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
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
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 38 in W 42 in D 23 in
Edwardian Dark Stained Burlwood Vanity w/ Trifold Mirror, Circa 1910
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Edwardian dark-stained burlwood vanity with 3 drawers and a top trifold mirror. The vanity has a kidney shape with decorative brass pulls
Burl
$8,000
H 32.25 in W 29.5 in D 17 in
1930s Convertible Vanity Table and Lift-Top Mirror by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in North Miami, FL
1930s Scandinavian Modern parchment-covered wood convertible vanity table/poudreuse with lift-top mirror by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden By: Nordiska Kompaniet Material: wood, parchment paper, metal Technique: cast, molded, polished, metalwork, carved, hand-carved, hand-crafted Dimensions: 17 in x 29.5 in x 32.25 in Date: early 20th century, circa 1930 Style: Scandinavian Modern, Swedish Grace, Mid-Century Modern Place of origin: Sweden Encased in hand-applied parchment, this 1930s Swedish Modern...
Metal
Authentic Tea Trolley 901 in Birch by Alvar Aalto & Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto, Hella Jongerius
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
Alvar Aalto For Finsven Birch Drop-Leaf Dining Table
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This drop-leaf, gatefold birch, dining table was designed by the Finnish designer Alvar Aalto and retailed by Finsven in the late 1940s. This early model has two drop-leaves that can...
Birch
$2,934
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, 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