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.
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
$905Sale Price|35% Off
H 9.85 in W 39.38 in D 11.82 in
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
1992 Vincent Van Gogh - Cleveland Museum of Art Original Vintage Poster
By Vincent van Gogh
Located in Winchester, GB
Beautiful poster advertising works on display by the legendary Dutch expressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh at the Cleveland Museum of Art in the USA. The piece depicted is the wonde...
Paper
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
Framed Basquiat Poster of Whitney Museum Showing 1992-1993
By (after) Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking poster promoting Jean-Michel Basquiat’s gallery exhibition at the Whitney Museum, 1992–1993. Basquiat’s work remains endlessly compelling; his visual language and cultura...
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
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
1992 Louis Vuitton Bagatelle - Razzia Original Vintage Poster
By Razzia (Gérard Courbouleix–Dénériaz)
Located in Winchester, GB
The Louis Vuitton Bagatelle Automobile Classiques is an annual event held in the Parc de Bagatelle in Paris, France beginning in 1988. This beautiful piece from 1992 depicts a beauti...
Paper
$114
H 9.85 in W 12.21 in D 0.4 in
Original Photo of Interior, Bruno Matthson, Alvar Aalto, Stylclair, 1951
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, 1951 - Museum of decorative Arts in Czech republic - photographed by Illek and Paul - suitable for framing jr.
Paper
$315
H 0.04 in W 27.56 in D 19.69 in
Original Barcelona Olympic 1992 Poster 'Olympiad Xxv' Designed by Addison
Located in London, GB
The 1992 Summer Olympics, officially known as the games of the XXV Olympiad and commonly known as Barcelona '92, were an international multi-sport event held from 25 July to 9 August...
Paper
1992 Porco Rosso (Japanese) Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
Written and directed by anime and animation legend Hayao Miyazaki, and based on his 1989 manga, "Porco Rosso" was released by Studio Ghibli in 1992 to grea...
Paper
1992 Campari - Milton Glaser Original Vintage Poster
By Milton Glaser
Located in Winchester, GB
Iconic Italian liqueur brand Campari hired the renowned American graphic designer Milton Glaser in 1992 to create a series of artworks to promote the drink. Campari was formed in ...
Linen, Paper
$986
H 46.86 in W 64.97 in D 0.08 in
Brain Antique Anatomical Plate by Lehrmittelverlag Hageman Düsseldorf 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Anatomical didactic plate of the 1930s on canvas paper depicting the brain, the spinal column and the sense organs, mounted on two black painted wooden sticks. Signed Lehrmittelverla...
Paper