An architect and designer, Alvar Aalto deserves an immense share of the credit for bringing Scandinavian modernism and Nordic design to a prominent place in the global arena. In both his buildings and his vintage furniture — which ranges from chairs, stools, tables and lighting to table- and glassware — Aalto’s sensitivity to the natural world and to organic forms and materials tempered the hardness of rationalist design.
Relatively few Aalto buildings exist outside Finland. (Just four exist in the United States, and only one — the sinuous 1945 Baker House dormitory at M.I.T. — is easily visited.) International attention came to Aalto, whose surname translates to English as “wave,” primarily through his furnishings.
Instead of the tubular metal framing favored by the Bauhaus designers and Le Corbusier, Aalto insisted on wood. His aesthetic is best represented by the Paimio armchair, developed with his wife, Aino Aalto, in 1930 as part of the overall design of a Finnish tuberculosis sanatorium.
Comfortable, yet light enough to be easily moved by patients, the Paimio chair’s frame is composed of two laminated birch loops; the seat and back are formed from a single sheet of plywood that scrolls under the headrest and beneath the knees, creating a sort of pillow effect. Aalto’s use of plywood had an enormous influence on Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Marcel Breuer and others who later came to the material.
Concerned with keeping up standards of quality in the production of his designs, Aalto formed the still-extant company Artek in 1935, along with Aino, whose glass designs were made by the firm. In the latter medium, in 1936 the Aaltos together created the iconic, undulating Savoy vase, so-called for the luxe Helsinki restaurant for which the piece was designed.
Artek also produced Aalto pendants and other lighting designs, many of which — such as the Angel’s Wing floor lamp and the Beehive pendant — incorporate a signature Aalto detail: shades made of concentric enameled-metal rings graduated down in diameter. The effect of the technique is essential Alvar Aalto: at once precise, simple, and somehow poetic.
Find a collection of vintage Alvar Aalto stools, vases, dining tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Rare Set of 4 Alvar Aalto 'Peg' Wall Shelves Model 112, Artek 1930s-40s.
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful set of 4 Alvar Aalto wall shelves model 112. These shelves with the pegs are much rarer than the normal ones, not to mention a set...
Birch
Wall Shelves Model 112B-2, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
By Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Set of two wall shelves model 112B-2 designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s. Birch. Good vintage condition, beautiful patina consistent...
Birch
$1,518Sale Price|30% Off
Alvar Aalto Artek 112B-2 Shelf 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek shelf model 112B-2, birch. Shelf is from the 1960s and in good original condition. Design by Alvar Aalto. There is an old Artek stamp in the back of ...
Birch
$2,079Sale Price|25% Off
Alvar Aalto Shelf Model 112B-3 by Artek 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek shelf model 112B-3, birch. Shelf is from the 1960s and in good condition. Design by Alvar Aalto. The shelf has been restored.
Birch
Drawing Rack by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon birch bentwood drawing rack with four pairs of hooks.
Birch
Alvar Aalto, pair of shelves model 112B for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Firenze, IT
FOUR SHELVES MODEL 112B in birch Artek production, Finland, circa 1960 Bibliography for comparison T. Keinanen, P. Korvenmaa, K. Mikonranta, A. Olafsdottir, Alvar Aalto and the O...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack by Artek 1930s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
An old dowel-jointed coat rack by Artek, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is from around the 1930s and has an old Artek stamp on it. The coat rack has beautiful patina of time.
Birch
Coat Rack by Alvar Aalto for Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek coat rack, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is from around the 1950s. It has a great patina and it shows nicely traces of life from decades. The coat rack has old Artek s...
Metal
Alvar Aalto Experimental Wood Relief by Artek Limited Edition
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek's experimental wood relief. Designer Alvar Aalto. The relief is from 2015, Artek's 80th anniversary model. Only 80 of these reliefs were produced. The relief is in good used co...
Birch
$940Sale Price|35% Off
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack model 109C by Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek coat rack model 109C, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is from around the 1960s, and it has a wonderful patina.
Birch
Original Photo of Alvar Aalto Lounge chair / Finland - 1950
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, 1950 - Museum of decorative Arts in Czech republic - suitable for framing - photographed by Illek and Paul jr
Paper
Original Photo of Furniture/Interior by Alvar Aalto, Marcel Breuer, 1937
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia - Museum of decorative arts in Prague - suitable for framing - photographed by Illek and Paul jr.
Paper
A Pair of Carved Gilt Wood Wall Shelves
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of giltwood wheat motif wall shelves, Italy, mid 20th Century, the good size measuring 15 inches high, 12.5 inches wide, and 6 iches deep.
Giltwood
Wicker and Iron Coat Hook by Orange
By Orange
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Iron and wicker coat hook by Orange Furniture. Made-to-order. Beautiful midcentury style! Four in stock.
Wicker
Contemporary Golden Solid Brass Gio Hook by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Gio Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 2 x D 8 x H 12 cm Materials: Brass Note: Hooks come with matching screws. The Gio Hook is sand cast in solid bra...
Brass
$2,750
H 3 in W 32.25 in D 18.5 in
Original Alvar Aalto Shoe Rack Designed for the Stora Enso Building Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this rare and custom shoe rack designed by Alvar Aalto circa 1960 featuring solid birch wood slats. Custom designed by Alvar Aal...
Wood, Birch
Kai Kristiansen Shelf System FM Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen shelf system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s. The wall unit consists of: - 8 shelves - 2 cabinets - 3 wall brackets detailed meas...
Teak
$1,024
H 9.85 in W 18.51 in D 11.82 in
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Wall Shelf, Franco Albini, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Extraordinary Mid-Century wall shelf in curved rattan, bamboo and wicker. This marvellous object was made in Italy in the 1960s and is attributed to the mastery of Franco Albini. Th...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
$1,928
H 10.24 in W 78.75 in D 7.88 in
Large Floating Teak Wall Mounted Shelf by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, 1960s
By Walter Wirtz, Wilhelm Renz
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful floating wall unit designed by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, Germany, 1960s. Very good condition, signed with Wilhelm Renz logo. This U-shaped shelf is made of high-qualit...
Teak
$1,326 / set
H 13.78 in W 11.82 in D 31.5 in
Marcello Siard for Kartell Set of 6 Black Plastic Shelves, Italy 1970s
By Marcello Siard, Kartell
Located in Naples, IT
Set of six shelves with asymmetrical plastic profile in black, designed by Marcello Siard for Kartell in the 1970s, are of two sizes 4 small (cm.35x44x30) and two large (cm. 35x80x30...
Plastic
Alvar Aalto Style Bent Wood Magazine Stand Rack
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Ferndale, MI
Diminutive chair side blonde laminate wood with dowel magazine stand. Clean lines and blonde wood lead me to the Aalto look .
Maple
3 Damascus Mother of Pearl Inlaid Wall Shelves
Located in Dallas, TX
Group of three Damascus mother of pearl inlaid wooden wall shelves. The intricately carved wood of each is inlaid with designs in mother of pearl w...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
$2,646
H 13.5 in W 44.6 in D 7.5 in
Dutch Arts & Crafts Wall Coat Rack w. Carved Monkey & Stylized Birds Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning antique coat rack made of oak with stylish brass hooks. If you are a collector of handcrafted, early 20th century decorative art then this striking, sculptural coat rack co...
Brass
$2,121
H 18.9 in W 11.42 in D 9.85 in
Alvar Aalto Triangular Umbrella Stand in Birch and Brass, Artek 1970s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
Umbrella stand designed by the one and only Alvar Aalto and manufactured in the late 70s by Artek. Alvar Aalto was known for being the driving force in Scandinavian modern design, wh...
Brass
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack by Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek coat rack, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is estimated to be from the 1940s. It has a great patina and it shows nicely traces of life from decades.
Birch
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack by Artek 1960s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek coat rack, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is from around the 1960s, and it has a wonderful patina. The coat rack has also flamed birch on it, which makes this piece qui...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Wall Console Artek 114A
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Alvar Aalto wall console with two drawers, model 114A, manufactured by Artek in circa 1940s. Artek's stamp from 1930s-1950s on the back of the console. The console has beautiful pati...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Shelves Model 112B in Birch, Artek, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
Set of 4 early Alvar Aalto wall shelves model "112B" in patinated birch. Beautiful warm and deep patina to the wood. The Alvar Aalto wall shelf ...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Wall Shelves
By Alvar Aalto
Located in San Francisco, CA
Alvar Aalto design wall shelves, model 112b. Super simple yet sophisticated shelves that are timeless classics by one of the masters of Scandinavian design. Warm patina with age appr...
Birch
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack for Artek, Mid-1900s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Alvar Aalto coat rack for Artek from the mid-1900s. Birch with metal details. Classic Alvar Aalto design. Good vintage condition, minor wear consistent with age and use.
Metal
Sold
H 17.72 in W 29.53 in D 9.85 in
Wall Cabinet with Writing Surface Designed by Alvar Aalto for Aalto Möbler
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wall cabinet with writing surface designed by Alvar Aalto for Aalto Möbler, Sweden, 1950s. Birch veneer. Stamped ‘AALTO MÖBLER SVENSK KVALITETSPRODUK’....
Birch
Sold
H 33.47 in W 35.44 in D 10.24 in
Early Shelf in Birch by Alvar Aalto for Aalto Möbler, Hedemora, Sweden
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Goteborg, SE
During the 1940´s Alvar Aalto had a production of his furniture in Hedemora, Sweden. This beautiful shelf is from that period. It comes with original wall mounts but can be mounted w...
Birch
Sold
H 33.08 in W 35.44 in L 33.08 in
Wall Relief Designed by Alvar Aalto for Huonekalutehdas Korhonen, Finland, 1950
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wall relief designed by Alvar Aalto for Huonekalutehdas Korhonen, Finland, 1950s. Birch. Measures: H 84 cm/ 2' 7 1/16" W 90 cm/ 35 7/16".
Birch
8 Alvar Aalto Wall Shelves
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Aalto wall mounted shelves in laminated birch.Manufactured by Artek of Finland. 8 available. Priced per shelf.
8 Alvar Aalto Wall Shelves
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Aalto wall mounted shelves in laminated birch.Manufactured by Artek of Finland. 8 available. Priced per shelf.