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.
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Alvar Aalto Wall Brackets
Birch
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.
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
Audoux Minet French Rope Coat Rack
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet rope coat rack France, circa 1950’s Sculptural rope piece made up of three hooks, beautiful arches and coiled ends Beautifully worn in from years of love...
Rope
$2,219
H 11.03 in W 39.38 in D 11.82 in
Alvar Aalto Hat Rack / Coat Hanger in Birch, Model 113, Artek 1940s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This early 1940s single wall shelf / hat rack model 113 is designed by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto for artek. This versatile shelf is in stained birch. The 2 triangular panels ...
Metal
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
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
$5,500 / item
H 5 in W 48 in D 3 in
Brass Coat Rack Wall Mount Custom Hand Made Sliding Hooks Bronze Patina
Located in East Hampton, NY
Custom site specific sizes available (length and quantity of hooks) Stainless steel, brass, bronze, aluminum Hand applied patina finishes Hooks slide along a 1" diameter rod.
Brass, Stainless Steel
$2,542
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
$1,733
H 18.9 in W 11.42 in D 9.85 in
An Alvar Aalto Triangular Umbrella Stand in Birch and Brass, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy, Artek
Located in Helsinki, FI
Umbrella stand designed by the one and only Alvar Aalto and manufactured in the late 60s by Artek. A very simple yet elegant design. The item is in good condition with an exeptionall...
Brass
$500
H 14 in W 13 in D 13.25 in
Mid-Century "W" Molded Plywood Magazine Rack in the Style of Alvar Aalto
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mid-Century Modern "W" molded plywood magazine rack in the style of Alvar Aalto. rack is crafted in light wood, reflecting the organic, minimalist style Aalto is celebrated for. This...
Plywood
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
$184Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.75 in W 17 in D 6 in
Sculptural Teak Magazine Rack Inspired by Alvar Aalto, 1980s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1980s Modern Sculptural Teak Magazine Rack made in the style/manner of Alvar Aalto. Built from layered plywood finished with a warm teak veneer. Distinctive...
Teak, Bentwood, Plywood
$14,795
H 59.06 in W 78.75 in D 0.6 in
Alvar Aalto Wooden Room Divider, Screen 100 in Pine, Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek, Huonekalu-Ja Rakennustyötedas Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
Alvar Aalto’s 100 Slatted Wall is a dynamic and sculptural interior element, composed of narrow vertical pine slats joined together to create a flexibl...
Pine
Artek Book Stand by Aino Aalto
By Artek, Aino Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek book stand, designed by Aino Aalto. In very good used condition. Manufactured in 1940s-1950s. Beautiful patina of age.
Birch
$750
H 23.63 in W 13.78 in D 14.97 in
Rare Alvar Aalto for Artek N65 Bentwood Children's Chair with Red Seat
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Brooklyn, US
Artek's N65 children's chair is a slightly re-sized model of Chair 65 designed by Alvar Aalto in 1935. In 2013, in honor of the 80th anniversary, Artek released these classic furnitu...
Laminate, Birch