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 Wall Shelves in Birch by by Alvar Aalto, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
These rare wall shelves, designed by Alvar Aalto and produced by Artek in Finland, exemplify the enduring appeal of Scandinavian modernism through their organic form, functional eleg...
Birch
$918Sale 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
Rare Set of 4 Alvar Aalto 'Peg' Wall Shelves Model 112, Artek 1930s-40s.
By Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek, Alvar Aalto
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
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
Coat Rack by Alvar Aalto for Artek 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
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
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
Original Photo of Bruno Mathsson 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
Drawing Rack by Alvar Aalto for Artek
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An uncommon birch bentwood drawing rack with four pairs of hooks.
Birch
Wall Shelves Model 112B-2, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
By Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
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
$121Sale Price|20% Off
Original Photo of Bruno Mathsson 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
poser of「In Berührung mit Alvar Aalto」Stadtmuseum Düsseldorf, 1992
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
Alvar Aalto Exhibition Poster “In Berührung mit Alvar Aalto” – Stadtmuseum Düsseldorf, 1992 This original exhibition poster was produced for “In Berührung mit Alvar Aalto”, a retro...
Paper
$1,292 / 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
$525
H 46.75 in W 31.5 in D 12.75 in
Mid-Century Oak & Teak Wall Mount Coat Rack w/ Hat Shelf & Black Enamel Hooks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wall-mounted coat rack from the Mid-Century era combines white oak with functional black enameled metal hooks. The design features a practical upper hat shelf supported by vertical m...
Metal, Enamel
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
Italian Mid-Century Pair of Wooden Shelves, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century pair of wooden shelves, 1980s. Pair of black painted wooden shelves with steel finishes in different sizes. 1980s. Go...
Steel
Ceramic Relief by Charles Sucsan.
By Charles Sucsan
Located in Montreal, QC
Ceramic Relief sculpture of a bird by Charles Sucsan.
Ceramic
Pair 19th Century Japanese Wall Shelves
Located in Houston, TX
Late 19th Century Japanese carved wood wall shelves with inlay and painted foliage motifs.
Wood
Chrome & Brass Wall Mounted Shelves
Located in Hanover, MA
Blingy and glamorous 1970s custom made wall mounted shelves consisting of chromed steel single-track shelf standard which is embedded within a chann...
Brass, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Danish Mid-Century Teak Wall Mount Coat Rack with Shelf, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wall mount coat rack from Denmark showcases the clean lines and functional beauty of Mid-Century Scandinavian design. Crafted in warm teak, the piece features thoughtful dual-level c...
Teak
Pair of Louis XV Style Painted Wall Shelves
Located in Houston, TX
A 20th century carved wall shelves, each with one-drawer and lovely hand painted floral detail.
Wood
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
$2,444Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 10.63 in W 8.47 in D 4.73 in
Pair of Spanish Foliage Wall Brackets / Shelves in Carved Giltwood, 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of carved giltwood wall consoles or bracket shelves, Spain, 1930s. Carved Wood, Giltwood, Gold Leaf Antique Spanish Neoclassical Revival Giltwood Wall Brackets. These stunning o...
Gold Leaf
Pair Of Italian Gilt Rope And Tassel Wall Shelves
Located in New York, NY
Pair Italian Gilt Rope and Tassel Wall Shelves with new glass. Scrolled sides. Perfect for bathroom, Very sturdy and stylish
Iron
Alvar Aalto Shelf Model 112B-3 by Artek 1960s Finland
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek 112B-3 shelf, birch. The shelf is from the 1960s. Good used condition. Old Artek stamp on the back of the shelf.
Birch
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
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 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
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 0.4 in W 9.85 in D 12.21 in
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
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 33.08 in W 35.44 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