Skip to main content
Beehive Pendant Light
Iconic Designs

Beehive Pendant LightBy Alvar Aalto

About the Design

Nicknamed “Beehive” for its resemblance to a bee’s nest, the Pendant Light A331 is among the most famous designs from revered Finnish architect and furniture maker Alvar Aalto (1898–1976). 

In 1951, Aalto won a competition to design the main campus of a research university in Jyväskylä, where he had spent much of his childhood. Aalto also operated his studio in the small Finnish town from 1923 to 1933, when he and his first wife, Aino, relocated to Helsinki. In designing eight buildings for the University of Jyväskylä, Aalto planned a campus that echoed the layout of a Greek acropolis — Jyväskylä residents referred to their town as the “Athens of Finland” for its education focus, and the architect took this comparison to heart, prioritizing open-air civic space and other innovations. And just as he and Aino designed the Paimio armchair and all other furnishings for their famed tuberculosis sanatorium project — a masterpiece of functionalism — Aalto also specified furniture and interiors for his structures in Jyväskylä. The Beehive pendant was introduced in 1953 as part of the commission.

The Beehive pendant light’s elegant spherical shape is framed by five bands of handspun aluminum. But it’s the perforated steel rings underneath this multipart “shade” that comprise the unsung hero of the pendant — they provide for a diffusion of light that gives the Beehive a soft glow. The fixture is still manufactured by Artek, the company Alvar and Aino helped cofound in 1935. Within its 13-inch diameter, the Beehive pendant light encompasses many of Alvar Aalto’s most recognizable calling cards: reference to nature, sculptural form, thoughtful mechanics and overall warmth.

Alvar Aalto Beehive Pendant Light

to
3
2
5
3
3
2
1
Early Alvar Aalto A332 Beehive Pendant in White & Brass, Valaistustyö 1950s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Helsinki, FI
This is one of Alvar Aalto´s most iconic lighting designs. It was first designed in 1953. The design is incredibly simple and takes from nature as it m...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass

Alvar Aalto Beehive Lamp Model No. A332 Produced by Valaistustyö in Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare Beehive lamp model no. A332 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Valaistustyö in Finland. Measure: Height: 35 (80) cm.
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass

Ceiling Lamp Mode A332 “Beehive” Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyo
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ceiling lamp model A332 “Beehive” designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyo, Finland, 1953. Painted aluminium and polished brass. Early six tier version. Stamped, 'VAlAISTUSTYO A33...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Artek A331 Beehive Aluminum Pendant Lamp
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Astoria, NY
Artek A331 Beehive Aluminum Pendant Lamp, 20th century, designed by Alvar Aalto, with chrome-plated pierced rings. 28" H x 13" Diameter. Provenance: From the New York City Collection...
Category

20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Artek A331 Beehive Aluminum Pendant Lamp
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Astoria, NY
Artek A331 Beehive Aluminum Pendant Lamp, 20th century, designed by Alvar Aalto, with chrome-plated pierced rings. 28" H x 13" Diameter. Provenance: From the New York City Collection...
Category

20th Century Finnish Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Related Items
Lyskaer Pendant Lamp in aluminum Denmark - 1960s
By Lyskaer
Located in Berlin, DE
Lyskaer Pendant Lamp in aluminum, Denmark 1960s 1x E27. Dimensions: 17 x 34 x 34 cm Please note: Lamp should be fitted professionally in accordance to local requirements.
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum

Natural White Alvar Aalto Ceiling Lamp for Stora Enso Headquarters, Idman 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Idman Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
This lamp is perfect for Kitchens, counter tops, window fronts, or as lighting for painting walls. It can even be used on the outside balcony for example...
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Natural White Alvar Aalto Ceiling Lamp for Stora Enso Headquarters, Idman 1960s
Natural White Alvar Aalto Ceiling Lamp for Stora Enso Headquarters, Idman 1960s
$3,171 Sale Price
20% Off
H 8.67 in W 45.28 in D 13.39 in
Cyclone Chandelier Pendant Lamp, Chrome Silver, Aluminum
By Gaetano Sciolari
Located in New York, NY
Cyclone chandelier pendant lamp, chrome silver, aluminum. The smaller scale version of this ribbon light fixture. Constructed of polished aluminum b...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum

Alvar Aalto Pair of "Golden Bell" Brass Pendants for Louis Poulsen, 1950s
By Louis Poulsen, Alvar Aalto
Located in Odense, DK
Rare set of original early production "Golden Bell" pendants by Alvar Aalto manufactured by for Louis Poulsen, Denmark in the 1950s. The pendants are made from solid brass and lacque...
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Brass 'Kultakello' Model A 330 'Golden Bell' Pendant by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Utrecht, NL
Model A330 is the more complex variation of the popular and more simple model A330S / 'The Golden Bell” that was originally designed in 1936 by Alvar Aalto and his wife Aaino for the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Alvar Aalto 'Triplets' Pendant Model A 203 In Brass & Red, Valaistustyö 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Helsinki, FI
A stunning mid-century pendant by Alvar Aalto in red and brass and manufactured by Valaistustyö Finland, 1950s. This lamp is one of our favourite Alvar Aalto pendants and seems to be...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass

Alvar Aalto 'Triplets' Pendant Model A 203 In Brass & Red, Valaistustyö 1950s
Alvar Aalto 'Triplets' Pendant Model A 203 In Brass & Red, Valaistustyö 1950s
$36,523 Sale Price
20% Off
H 61.03 in W 26.78 in D 11.42 in
Ceiling Lamp Designed by Alvar Aalto for Idman, Finland, 1950s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ceiling lamp designed by Alvar Aalto for Idman, Finland. 1950's. Lacquered metal. Dimensions H: 21 cm / 8 1/8" W: 115 cm / 3' 9 1/8" D: 33 cm / 8 1/8" Provenance: From Stora Enso'...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Alvar Aalto A110 Hand Grenade Pendant Lamps in Black with Brass Detail
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Very nice sleek hanging lamp designed by Alvar Aalto for the building of the Finnish Engineers Association and the council chamber of the town hall of Säynätsalo. The lamp with model...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass

Alvar Aalto, Model A335B for Valaistustyö
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Berlin, DE
Designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1950s, this pendant lamp is a classic example of Scandinavian design. The layered, dome-shaped shade creates soft, diffused light, making it perfect fo...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Alvar Aalto Lamp A335A by Valaistustyö
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek A622A lamp, designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Valaistustyö Ky. The lamp is in very good used condition. Valaistustyö's stamp on the lamp. The Artek A335A pendant lam...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Alvar Aalto Lamp A335A by Valaistustyö
Alvar Aalto Lamp A335A by Valaistustyö
$3,484
H 16.93 in Dm 15.75 in
Alvar Aalto "Beehive" Pendant Model A331 In Red, Valaistustyö 1950s
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Helsinki, FI
This is one of Alvar Aalto's most iconic lighting designs. It was first designed in 1953. The design is incredibly simple and takes from nature as it mimics the hanging beehives on a...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass

Podgy Honeycomb Diffused Aluminum Dimmable Pendant Lamp
By Please Wait to be Seated
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by a photographer’s use of light equipment, PODGY strives to create an accurate illumination that serves the needs of everyday life. By combining several classic elements fr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum

Previously Available Items
alvar aalto pendant lamp A337 Valaisinpaja Oy
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Tomi, Nagano
alvar aalto design A337. It often called Flying Saucer. Warm light spreading like ripples.
Category

Vintage 1970s Finnish Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum

Alvar Aalto, Original Production Large Size Beehive Lamp, Valaistustyo Ky, 1953
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Alvar Aalto (Finnish 1898-1976) Beehive Pendant Light, model A332 constructed from six dark blue enamelled aluminium bands with pierced polished brass mounts to diffuse the light sta...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Pair of ceiling lamps 'Beehive' model A332 designed by Alvar Aalto, 1952, Red
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of ceiling lamps ‘Beehive’ model A332 designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyo, Finland, 1952. Painted aluminum and polished brass. Stamped. H: 30 c...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Alvar Aalto Beehive Pendant Light in Black, model A332, for Valaistutstyo, 1950s
By Valaistustyö, Alvar Aalto
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
One of Alvar Aalto's most iconic lighting designs, the Beehive pendant light was devised in 1953 for use in Finland's University of Jyväskylä. ...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Alvar Aalto A331 "Beehive" Pendant Light, 1950s, Valaistustyö Ky Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Turku, FI
The iconic ‘Beehive' ceiling lamp by Artek fills your dining or living room with beautiful atmospheric light. The Ceiling lamp A331 was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1953. The 'Beehive'...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Brass

Artek Pendant Light A331 “Beehive“ by Alvar Aalto
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Centreville, VA
The A331, nicknamed “Beehive,” is one of Alvar Aalto’s most popular lighting designs. Suitable for homes and public spaces alike, “Beehive” creates a warm, diffuse light when switche...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Alvar Aalto A331 "Beehive" Pendant Light, 1950s, Valaistustyö Ky Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Valaistustyö
Located in Turku, FI
The iconic ‘Beehive' ceiling lamp by Artek fills your dining or living room with beautiful atmospheric light. The Ceiling lamp A331 was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1953. The 'Beehive'...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Brass

Early Alvar Aalto A331 Beehive Pendant
By Alvar Aalto, Valaisinpaja Oy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully organic A331 "beehive" pendant light by Alvar Aalto for Valaisinpaja Oy, Finland for the Jyva¨skyla¨ University, the lamp features alternating white enameled and perforat...
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Metal

Ceiling Lamp ‘Beehive’ Model A331 Designed by Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyo
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Finland. 1953. Painted aluminium and polished brass. Measures: H 29,5 cm/ 11 3/4" D 39 cm/ 15 3/8".
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Alvar Aalto, Original Production Larger Size Beehive Lamp, Valaistustyo Ky
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Alvar Aalto for Valaistustyo Ky, Finland circa 1953. An original "Beehive" lamp in the much less often seen larger version which features 6 rings rather than the usual five. White en...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

"Beehive" Ceiling Lamp Model A331 by Alvar Aalto, Valaisinpaja OY, Finland 1960s
By Valaisinpaja Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Hägersten, SE
Ceiling lamp model A331 or "beehive" designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Valaisinpaja in Finland during the 1960s. Made from white lacquered aluminum and perforated brass. Very good...
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Early Alvar Aalto A331 Beehive Pendant
By Valaisinpaja Oy, Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully organic A331 "beehive" pendant light by Alvar Aalto for Valaisinpaja Oy, Finland for the Jyva¨skyla¨ University, the lamp features alternating white enameled and perforat...
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Metal

More Alvar Aalto Designs
Alvar Aalto Stool 60
Alvar Aalto Stool 60
Average Price
$2,243
Number Available
39
Alvar Aalto Stool 60
Materials
Wood, Birch
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
Although Finnish architect and furniture maker Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) was recognized early in his career for his decorative interiors and innovative building concepts, his functional wood furniture reflected a simplicity that extended even to his marketing copy. “One chair is enough” is one such slogan attributed to him today. While the renowned designs he produced with his first wife Aino for a tuberculosis sanatorium in Paimio included tubular steel, Aalto eventually distanced himself from...
Shop All
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase
Average Price
$1,224
Number Available
16
Alvar Aalto Savoy Vase
Materials
Glass, Blown Glass
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern
When Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) designed the curvilinear Savoy vase in 1936 for the eponymous luxurious restaurant in Helsinki set to open the following year, he created one of the most well-known glass objects of the 20th century.  The Savoy vase — commonly referred to as the “Aalto vase” — won first prize at 1936’s Karhula-Iittala Glass Design Competition, held to determine which works would be included in the Finnish Pavilion at the 1937 Paris World Expo. This ...
Shop All
Alvar Aalto Tea Cart 900
Alvar Aalto Tea Cart 900
Average Price
$5,681
Number Available
14
Alvar Aalto Tea Cart 900
Materials
Wood, Birch, Natural Fiber, Ceramic, Rattan
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
Making its international debut at the 1937 Paris World Exhibition, the Tea Trolley 900 encapsulates Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto's (1898–1976) influential approach to modernism through its emphasis on local materials and elegant pragmatism. A modern take on the traditional British tea cart, it is a versatile domestic object: It can be rolled up for dinner, tucked away in a corner for housing odds and ends or presented as a striking centerpiece. With a ceramic tile serving tray, ...
Shop All
Alvar Aalto L Leg Table Rectangular
Alvar Aalto L Leg Table Rectangular
Average Price
$2,850
Number Available
9
Alvar Aalto L Leg Table Rectangular
Materials
Birch, Wood
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
Shop All